Pc’s abuse ‘not the worst kind of racism’
A POLICEWOMAN sacked after she racially abused staff at an Asian takeaway has won her job back after claiming her remarks “were not the worst kind of racism”.
Pc Katie Barratt was dismissed over comments she made following a Northumbria Police Christmas party in Newcastle in 2017. She was waiting to be served in the Spice of Punjab in Newcastle when she said in front of colleagues: “I wish these f------ P---- would hurry up with my pizza.”
It was also claimed she called staff “n------”, something she never denied. But Guy Ladenburg, her barrister, said she had come from a “police family” and had a promising career before the 2017 incident.
The three-person panel heard staff had been buying Pc Barratt drinks all night at the 2017 Christmas “jolly” but she had since addressed that.
“She’s not touched a drop of drink after this incident,” said Mr Landenburg, who said Pc Barratt felt she should not have been sacked “because it is not the worst kind of racism”.
A panel overturned the “unreasonable” dismissal in a ruling on Monday. It means the constable can return to the beat, while the force will have to hand her at least £15,000 in back pay. Northumbria Police had fought to block her return, claiming her slurs could “seriously damage” the force’s reputation.
“Sadly it confirms a stereotype that is unfortunately held in some communities about the police,” said Steven Reid, the force’s barrister. He said the force felt no racism from an officer – on or offduty – was ever acceptable.
“The appellant didn’t go out that night to deliberately racially abuse members of the public,” Mr Reid stated. “But the fact remains she did.” Questions will now also be asked over whether Pc Barratt can work well with Asian communities.
The panel heard she would find that very difficult after her picture was widely used in national media.
Dorian Lovell-park, the panel’s chairman, said it “roundly condemned” her comments but wished her luck with resuming her career.