27 April 2012

Metropolitan Police Inspector Arrested On Suspicion Of Racist Abuse

An inspector with the Metropolitan Police force has been arrested on suspicion of racist abuse, fuelling the ongoing controversy of alleged racism within Britain’s largest police force.

The Met said officers working in the force’s complaints department arrested the inspector, who is based in north London, on Tuesday. He has since been suspended.

The incident in which he is accused of using racist abuse occurred in Barnet, at 7.40am on Monday, while the inspector was off-duty.

This is the highest-ranking Met officer to be placed under investigation since the latest controversy over racism engulfed the force and the 13th case of alleged racism by Met police officers to emerge in the past four weeks.

In total, 27 police officers are now under investigation or facing prosecution over alleged racism.

Some were investigated after complaints from members of the public about the use of alleged racist language, or claims of racially aggravated assault – others, such as claims of racist bullying, have been reported internally.

In a statement about the inspector arrested on Tuesday, the Met said: "The male officer was arrested on suspicion of a Section 4 Public Order Act offence (racially aggravated words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress).

"He is at present on police bail and has been suspended from duties pending the outcome of the investigation."

The IPCC confirmed it was supervising the investigation by the Met's department of professional standards.

(H)