Top Muslim police officer apologises after admitting gross misconduct

ONE OF the country’s most senior Muslim police officers has admitted gross misconduct after instructing a member of staff to pass topics to a candidate ahead of a promotion interview.

Naveed Malik, Assistant Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Police, whose father was one of the first Muslim police officers in the UK, said he was “deeply embarrassed” by his actions.

A misconduct hearing heard there was a tri-force promotion process, covering inspector to chief inspector, in February.

The first stage involved a presentation by the candidates to a panel and then an interview, conducted by a second panel, chaired by Mr Malik.

Beforehand Mr Malik had provided informal mentoring to an officer, referred to as Inspector A.

The hearing was told Mr Malik met with his interview panel members on the first day of the three-day process and they agreed to change the wording of one question.

He also instructed police staff member B to call Inspector A and tell the inspector the four areas to concentrate on for the interview for the promotion process.

He did as told, and began to list the topics, saying: “Nav has just asked me to give you the topics”.

Inspector A stopped him, saying it did not seem right and wanted to be promoted on merit. He instructed the staff member to “go back and tell (ACC Malik) that I didn’t want to listen”.

In a statement, Mr Malik, who admitted breaching the Standards of professional Behaviour through Discreditable Conduct, “apologised unreservedly”.

Chris Daw QC, for Mr Malik, said it was a “a single error of judgment” in an “unblemished and outstanding career”.

A ruling is expected today.