[Mrluvaluva]

This refers back to a story in a thread that was closed here.

Scotland Yard has referred 10 cases of alleged racism to the police watchdog and suspended five officers.

Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey confirmed that the 10 cases were being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Scotland Yard initially reported three cases - but the number increased to 10, relating to five officers, early this evening.

The matters were referred to the IPCC after a review of complaints at the force, Mr Mackey said, insisting "the Met does not tolerate racism".

The fresh allegations come after Met boss, Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, vowed to get to the bottom of "very damaging" footage of one officer apparently racially abusing a man and another allegedly assaulting a teenage boy last summer.

Mr Mackey warned there would be further referrals.

He said: "Whilst any use of racist language is abhorrent, what is reassuring for me is that in the ten cases that have been referred to the IPCC, six involve other officers who have stood up and raised concerns, showing that we are an organisation that will not stand for any racist behaviour.

"These officers were not motivated to report their concerns by recent media coverage as this was done before this week.

"I will always want to work in an organisation where someone who believes they've seen unacceptable behaviour feels they can challenge it and report it - knowing action will be taken, as it has been in these cases and as it will be whenever it occurs.

"The Met does not tolerate racism."

At least three of the five officers were based in Newham, east London, and were suspended earlier today in relation to complaints that they used racist language.

Mike Franklin, a commissioner with the IPCC, said: "Naturally members of the public are going to have concerns that this again involves officers based in Newham Borough and I have asked the Metropolitan Police Service what measures they have in place to ensure allegations of this nature are not more widespread."

Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe was previously forced to speak out after incidents on August 11 last year as police officers in London dealt with the fallout of the riots.

Pc Alex MacFarlane was suspended after a recording was made of a suspect being called a "n*****".

The arrested man, named as Mauro Demetrio, 21, from Beckton, east London, was arrested on suspicion of drug driving but no action was later taken.

He recorded the abuse on his mobile phone.

It also emerged that another officer, reportedly with Pc MacFarlane when Mr Demetrio was abused, was placed on restricted duties.

Action was taken after he was allegedly seen kicking the 15-year-old black boy to the ground and kneeing him.

The incident was said to have happened in the custody area of an east London police station with part of the incident recorded on CCTV.


Sky


I actually wonder how rife racism is in the police force and how many of the alleged perpetrators colleagues feel intimidated to report such matters or just put up with it.