'Racist, sexist' officer demoted

A police sergeant has been demoted for bringing "disgrace on his force" by making racist and sexist comments while on duty.

Colleagues from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported the 36-year-old officer after being outraged by the comments he made in June last year.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission conducted the inquiry.

Bosses reduced his rank from sergeant to constable and moved him from his beat in Wigan.

Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran, who chaired the GMP disciplinary hearing, said: "This officer used wholly inappropriate language which had both racist and sexist overtones.

"He failed to live up to the high standards we demand of everyone serving in the force.

"He has been given a significant sanction and moved from the area he was previously policing.

"He now has the opportunity to address his actions and prove himself to the community and his colleagues."

'Isolated incident'

Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said the punishment was appropriate for such a serious breach of discipline.

Ms Malik said: "The comments made by this officer were of a racist and sexist nature and were totally unacceptable.

"His actions have brought disgrace upon himself and GMP and it is entirely appropriate that he has been removed from a supervisory role."

But Ms Malik said the officer's comments were an isolated incident and not indicative of a widespread problem within GMP.

"The force has done a lot of good work with its communities and the actions of one individual should not be allowed to undermine this work."