An officer from the Metropolitan Police, caught on camera making racist remarks by an undercover BBC Panorama journalist, has been dismissed from duty.
PC Philip Neilson was found to have made racially discriminatory comments targeting various ethnic groups while serving in the Central West Command Unit. He is one of ten officers under investigation for their conduct. The program exposed biased opinions about Muslims within the police force, along with inappropriate sexual comments about detained women.
During a hearing in south-west London, PC Neilson was reported to have advocated for extreme actions against an immigrant who had violated his visa status. He was quoted as saying, “either put a bullet through his head or deport him,” violating professional standards related to authority, respect, courtesy, conduct, and equality and diversity.
In his defense, PC Neilson, a police officer for four years, denied being racist and claimed that the undercover reporter provoked the conversations. He stated that his comments were made under the influence of alcohol and did not reflect his usual behavior, emphasizing that his interactions with individuals of different ethnicities were always respectful, as shown in his body camera footage.
Commander Jason Prins, chairing the hearing, condemned PC Neilson’s remarks as abhorrent and disgraceful, emphasizing the officer’s lack of judgment.
The undercover reporter, Rory Bibb, spent seven months working as a detention officer in Charing Cross police station, where instances of inappropriate behavior, including discussions on rape, domestic violence, and racism, were documented. These revelations led to the resignation of Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
In response to the BBC Panorama program, the Metropolitan Police stated that PC Neilson’s conduct, as captured in the footage, demonstrated extreme racial bias, violence, and lack of professionalism, diminishing public trust in his ability to serve effectively. The allegations, if proven, would constitute gross misconduct warranting dismissal.
The documentary also highlighted other officers featured, including Sgt Joe McIlvenny, who shared inappropriate sexual stories, and PC Martin Borg, who made derogatory comments about Muslims. The film captured instances of officers making violent and discriminatory remarks, further tarnishing the image of the police force.
Paula Dodds, chairwoman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, condemned any form of discriminatory behavior within the police force and stressed the importance of fair due process for all officers, emphasizing the rejection of prejudgment based on media reports.
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