Top Asian policewoman sues Met over racism and sexism
... after misconduct inquiry clears her of ‘lobbying for a medal’
ONE of Britain’s top Asian policewomen is suing Scotland Yard for ‘racial and gender’ discrimination after being cleared of misconduct allegations.
Superintendent Parm Sandhu could receive a six-figure payout if she is successful in her claim against Britain’s biggest force, led by its first female commissioner, Cressida Dick.
The £82,000-a-year officer believes a year-long investigation into her allegedly breaking nomination rules for a prestigious police gong was disproportionate and carried out because she is Asian and female, sources said.
It is understood that Supt Sandhu, 55, has made a number of other serious allegations against her employers, including claims that the Met’s promotion system is racially biased.
If her legal action goes ahead at the Central London Employment Tribunal, serving and former Met chiefs – including Commissioner Dick and her predecessor Lord Hogan-Howe – could be asked to give evidence.
The catalyst for her action is said to have been a recently-concluded internal police probe into her about honours nominations, which exonerated her of any wrong-doing.
In June last year she was served with
‘Asian girls can achieve anything’
a ‘ gross misconduct’ investigation notice and was placed on restricted duties reportedly over allegations that she had encouraged colleagues to support her nomination for a Queen’s Police Medal (QPM).
National Police Chief Council guidelines say that ‘any person can nominate any other person for an honour’.
However, as with other honours, people are not expected to nominate themselves and are not meant to contribute to or know about the process.
The QPM is given to serving police officers in recognition of distinguished service or outstanding courage in the line of duty. The medals are awarded twice a year in the Queen’s Birthday and New Year Lists. In this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours, 23 officers received the award.
It is thought the internal Met probe examined whether Supt Sandhu – then a temporary chief superintendent – contacted other officers with a summary of information to support her QPM nomination. Two other Met officers were also under investigation in connection with the inquiry.
Supt Sandhu joined the police in 1989 and rose through the ranks to become borough commander in Richmond upon Thames in south-west London.
The mother-of-two, who is a prolific Twitter user, is now one of the most senior ethnic minority officers in the Met and in 2006 she received an Asian Women of Achievement award, largely for her community work following the July 7 2005 London terrorist attacks.
She once spoke of her ambition in an interview, saying: ‘There’s no reason an Asian woman couldn’t have the top job. I hope other Asian girls learn from my example. If they put their minds to it, they can achieve anything.’
Supt Sandhu has also said in the past: ‘When I started working for the London police, there were very, very few black officers, Asian officers and even fewer female officers. And it’s very different now because on every single team you will get officers from diverse backgrounds, and the support network is there now.’ Earlier this year, Met leaders said the force will still be disproportionately white for at least another 100 years at the current rate of progress but it is no longer institutionally racist.
In response to questions about Supt Sandhu last night, Scotland Yard said: ‘A temporary chief superintendent was served with a gross misconduct notice on Wednesday 27 June 2018 and placed on restricted duties.
‘Two other officers – a detective superintendent and an inspector – were informed they were under investigation for misconduct only and remained on full duties.
‘The investigation concluded in June 2019 and found there was no case to answer for gross misconduct or misconduct in relation to any of the officers.’ Regarding Supt Sandhu’s action against the force, it added: ‘The claim will be heard on a date yet to be confirmed... It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. At this early stage, we are unable to comment further around defending the claim.’
Supt Sandhu declined to comment.