Officer demoted after race remark

Chris Pretty has led some of the area's biggest criminal investigations

A senior West Midlands police officer who described BMWs as "black man's wheels" to fellow officers has been demoted a rank to chief inspector.

Ch Insp Chris Pretty had been given a miniature BMW for his collection of model cars at a leaving do at the Tally Ho police training centre last year.

The former superintendent is believed to be considering appealing.

West Midlands Police said it expected the highest standards of professionalism from all officers.

The officer has led some of the West Midlands' biggest criminal investigations and once headed a unit looking at crime within the black community.

'Robust' investigations

The West Midlands force started an investigation following complaints over the remark.

In a statement it said a senior officer has been dealt with "in the appropriate manner" in relation to comments made at the training centre on 19 September.

It said: "West Midlands Police expects the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from all its officers and staff and has robust procedures in place to deal with behaviour which falls outside those standards.

"When complaints are made against officers we carry out robust, thorough and proportionate investigations to ensure the integrity of the organisation."

Home Office advisor on gun and gang crime, Derrick Campbell, said he would not deem this case "as necessarily a racist thing, but most definitely inappropriate."

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The officer made the comment during a private function