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Discipline hearing clashed with officer’s Sikh festival

Steve Hammond
23/11/2006

ONE of Greater Manchester Police's highest ranking Asian officers has accused the force of racial and cultural insensitivity by forcing him to attend a disciplinary hearing immediately after a religious festival.

Lawyers for Inspector Bal Singh said the hearing was scheduled for 6 November, the day after the Sikh festival which celebrates the birth of Guru Nanek Dev Ji.

Barrister Gerard Clarke told High Court that the GMP had failed in its obligation to treat officers fairly. He said it was inconceivable that a Christian officer would be forced to attend a hearing on Boxing Day.

He told the court that Inspector Singh also had no the time to read all the files of the case because of late disclosures concerning allegations against him.

But the judge, Justice Bennett, said he would not intervene as it was up to the disciplinary panel to decide the date of hearings.
Inspector Singh has been suspended from duty for over a year.

He was first accused of money laundering - a charge that was dropped after he explained movements of cash in and out of his bank account were connected with the traditional Asian saving system - kamette.

Supporters of Inspector Singh claim that investigating officers then went on a "fishing expedition" to "dredge up" charges against him.

They accused him of two minor traffic offences and his suspension was continued. It is understood more accusations have now been placed on the file.

Disciplinary proceedings against Inspector Singh are continuing meanwhile he is in the process of taking the GMP to an employment tribunal alleging he is the victim of racial discrimination.

GMP say it would not be appropriate for them to comment while the case was continuing but added that they would be "robustly defending the force at the hearing".

Inspector Singh was recently the subject of a Parliamentary question.

His local MP, Cheadle Liberal Democrat Mark Hunter, asked Police Minister Tony McNulty to review the investigation into Inspector Singh to ensure that it was fair and free of racial discrimination. He also asked how much the investigation had cost so far.

Mr McNulty said both matters were for the Greater Manchester Police to answer.

The officer is one of only a few Asian or black members of the Greater Manchester Police force to rise through the ranks to become an Inspector.

Up until his suspension the 38-year-old had an outstandingly successful career recognised when he was chosen to greet Tony Blair when he visited GMP headquarters recently.

He joined the force in 1989 and served as a PC in south Manchester becoming the first officers to wear a turban on duty in the north.
After six years on the beat he became one of the youngest sergeants in the force.

A year later he joined the CID and was appointed head of the family support unit investigating suspicious child deaths, child abuse and domestic violence.

On being promoted to inspector he became the force's local authority liaison officer working with the city council on campaigns to reduce crime.

He is also a recognised national expert in relation to the investigations of murder and has worked with various serious crime squads in different forces throughout the UK.

He has received various community awards and was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his services to the force.

He passed stage one and two of the Home Office's high potential development scheme which identifies officers with the ability to reach chief constable and superintendent rank.

But he was denied the right to take the final interview stage because of his suspension.

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