Greater Manchester Police Suspends Eight Officers Amid Racial Discrimination Allegations
- Eight officers from Greater Manchester Police have been suspended amid serious allegations of racial discrimination.
- This action comes in response to growing scrutiny of the police force, including recent incidents involving excessive use of force.
- The suspensions reflect ongoing concerns about misconduct within the police and the need for accountability.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has suspended eight officers following a report of alleged racial discrimination, with one additional officer placed on restricted duties. The announcement, made on Monday, revealed that seven of the suspended officers are from the Bury district, while one is from Rochdale but was working in Bury at the time of the allegations. This action comes as GMP seeks to reassure the community and maintain operational integrity in the area. The suspensions follow a previous incident on July 17, where five officers were suspended and two placed on restricted duties, all from the same district. GMP has referred both cases to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is currently investigating the first report. The IOPC has indicated that the allegations involve officers engaging in inappropriate conversations and failing to challenge offensive language, raising concerns about the conduct and professionalism expected from police officers. The situation is compounded by a separate incident involving a GMP constable under criminal investigation after a video surfaced showing an officer kicking a man in the head at Manchester Airport. While this incident has sparked public protests and scrutiny, GMP has clarified that the recent suspensions are not connected to it. The suspensions and ongoing investigations come in the wake of a damning report highlighting systemic issues within GMP, including unlawful arrests and inappropriate treatment of victims. The Baird Inquiry, initiated after a Sky News investigation, aims to address these serious concerns across Greater Manchester's police stations.