Police officer sacked for racist language

A police officer has been dismissed after a disciplinary hearing found she used racist language on a night out.

Pc Katie Barratt, of Northumbria Police, was ruled to have used derogatory terms about the staff in a Newcastle takeaway while she was drunkenly waiting for a pizza.

She made the comments to colleagues and was not heard by the staff.

Superior officers were informed about what she had said and an investigation was launched.

Pc Barratt was sacked following a misconduct hearing at Houghton police station in Tyne and Wear.

After the case, Detective Superintendent Sav Patsalos, head of Northumbria Police’s professional standards department, said: “The language used by Pc Katie Barratt is wholly unacceptable.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no placeforthistypeoflanguage or any other form of racist behaviour within Northumbria Police.

“This was recognised by a colleague who rightly came forward to report the comments, reflecting the culture within the force where people have the confidence to speak up and challenge unacceptable behaviour.

“We expect officers and staff to maintain the highest levels of professionalism at all times and as such they must not compromise or damage our strong relationships with the communities we serve.

“I want to assure the public that we are committed to taking positive action in those instances where individuals fall below the expected standards of behaviour.”