Ethnic officers 'treated leniently'

The claims were raised with Chief Constable Michael Todd

A senior officer with Greater Manchester Police has claimed he has been put under pressure to be lenient when it comes to disciplining ethnic minority officers.

Superintendent Peter Schofield, from the force's internal affairs department, claimed the pressure had come from officers at command level to issue less severe punishments to black and Asian officers.

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is now to examine the allegations by Mr Schofield, who is charged with looking into complaints made against officers.

His comments to Chief Constable Mike Todd come less than a month after officers from GMP were filmed in a BBC undercover documentary making racist comments.

Three officers later resigned from the force.

You are five times more likely to be put through the disciplinary procedure if you are black Ray Powell, National Black Police Association

Wendy Towers, deputy chairman of the PCA, is due to go to force headquarters next week to investigate the matter further.

Mr Schofield has reportedly cited several examples where ethnic minority officers have received lenient treatment.

GMP has confirmed that concerns have been raised relating to its "disciplinary processes".

In a statement it said: "The concerns raised...were passed...to the chief constable and the PCA.

"The GMP has since been in dialogue with them to ensure that they have all the necessary facts.

'Very disturbing'

"We have a fair and equitable disciplinary process, which is open to scrutiny from the relevant agencies."

But Mr Schofield's comments were criticised by the National Black Police Association as "not very helpful".

It's president Ray Powell said the real issue was the disproportionate number of black and Asian officers who went through the disciplinary system.

He said: "I find it very, very disturbing that a senior police officer feels such a need to make such a statement.

"We know that there is racism within the police force.

"Now that it's surfaced within the GMP area, they feel they have to justify a response to the contrary.

"You are five times more likely to be put through the disciplinary procedure if you are black.

"We have been saying this for four or five years and no investigation has been made.

"Suddenly one white senior superintendent who suddenly feels like a victim makes an allegation and there is an investigation by the PCA."