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Last Updated: Friday, 24 October, 2003, 15:51 GMT 16:51 UK
Police recruit resigns in race row
A still from the footage showing an officer wearing a mock Ku Klux Klan hood
Earlier this week a BBC film exposed racism among some police recruits

A Scotland Yard recruit has resigned following accusations he made racist remarks at a training school.

The departure of the 20-year-old recruit come only days after six officers resigned following an expos� by BBC reporter Mark Daly.

On Friday the Metropolitan Police announced a recruit had resigned following allegations racist comments were made in front of colleagues at Hendon Training School.

The recruit, who started training at Hendon on 21 September, allegedly used "blatantly racist language".

Decisive action

A decision was taken to suspend the recruit but on Thursday he offered to resign and this has been accepted.

An investigation is being conducted by officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards.

Contact has also been made with the Crown Prosecution Service, with a view to possible criminal proceedings.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said they were pleased the victims in this case reported what had happened and had the confidence in the force to take this action swiftly.

He said: "The Metropolitan Police Service will not tolerate discrimination or abuse in any form from its staff or officers.

"Whilst every case will be treated on its merits, anyone found guilty of such behaviour must expect to be required to resign or be sacked."

Earlier in the week six police officers resigned and two were suspended, after an undercover BBC documentary revealed racism among police recruits.

The first to resign was Pc Robert Pulling of North Wales Police, who was shown dressed in an improvised Ku Klux Klan hood and making a string of racist comments.

He was followed later on Wednesday by three officers from Greater Manchester Police, and an officer from the Cheshire force.

One Greater Manchester police officer and a North Wales police officer remain suspended while criminal and disciplinary investigations are carried out.

All three forces involved strongly condemned the behaviour shown on the film The Secret Policeman, broadcast on Tuesday, and promised to do more to banish racism.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said the racism was "horrendous" and urged better training for recruits.




SEE ALSO:
Can you test for racism?
22 Oct 03  |  UK
My life as a secret policeman
21 Oct 03  |  Magazine


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