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U.K. Sikh policeman to get damages for racial discrimination

Hasan Suroor

His application was rejected 12 times

LONDON: The British police are facing fresh allegations of racism after an employment tribunal upheld a complaint by a British-born Sikh policeman that he was a victim of racial discrimination.

Sangram Singh-Bhacker is expected to be awarded a “five-figure” sum in damages, according to media reports, after the Greater Manchester Police rejected his job application as many as 12 times although he is an experienced policeman and worked in a number of other police forces across England.

The tribunal rejected the reasons given by the Manchester police for persistently refusing to employ Mr. Singh-Bhacker, who was born in Manchester and currently works for the British Transport Police. He wanted a transfer to his home city.

The panel ruled that Mr. Singh-Bhacker, whom it described as a qualified and physically fit policeman, had been racially discriminated against.

It noted that the GMP employed a white policeman of similar age and experience but rejected Mr. Singh-Bhacker’s application.

The head of personnel in the Manchester police, Andrew Marston, was sharply criticised for telling Mr. Singh-Bhacker in a letter that he would not consider him for a job “now or in the future.”

“Racism still exists in police organisations,” Mr. Singh-Bhacker told The Times, adding that he loved his city and all he wanted was to work there to be close to his family, especially his ailing mother who died last year.

A Manchester police spokesman denied racism and expressed “disappointment” with the verdict.

Racism in police has been a major issue since an inquiry commission in 1999 held that the British police were “institutionally racist.”

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