Eight police officers suspended after a colleague complains of “racial discrimination”

Greater Manchester Police has suspended eight of its officers after colleagues within the force made a complaint of “racial discrimination”.

The officers were suspended and another officer placed on restricted duties on Monday following an investigation into a report of racial discrimination. The force has also referred a mandatory investigation to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

According to police, seven of the suspended officers are from the Bury district, one is from Rochdale and was working in Bury at the time of the allegations.

The latest suspensions follow the suspension of five other officers and the placement of two more officers on restricted duty on 17 July. These officers were also all from Bury borough. The victims in both cases are also believed to be police officers.

The IOPC is investigating the first report and has now referred the second incident back to Greater Manchester Police for investigation. The force added that it had temporarily relocated its officers to Bury to “cover operational duties and minimise disruption in the borough”.

GMP’s Director of Professional Standards, Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, said: “The reports we have received are deeply concerning and I hope to reassure the community of Bury, the wider public and GMP staff that these matters will be fully and thoroughly investigated.”

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