Leader of UK's black police officers under investigation over tweet

The Guardian

04-03-2025

The leader of Britain's black and Asian police officers has been placed under investigation over a tweet.
Ch Insp Andy George, the president of the National Black Police Association, said the decision to place him under a misconduct investigation 'sends a chilling message' and 'stifles free speech'.
His tweet followed the case of the firearms officer Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murder by a jury after shooting dead an unarmed man, Chris Kaba.
After the acquittal, the Metropolitan police promoted Blake from sergeant to inspector despite the police watchdog believing he should face a hearing for alleged gross misconduct.
George's tweet compared Blake's treatment with that of black and Asian officers, who are more likely to face disciplinary action than their white colleagues.
In November 2024 George, himself a former firearms officer, retweeted a MailOnline piece about the promotion of Blake, whose career had stalled until his acquittal.
He then tweeted: 'Regardless of your feelings on the case, this will come as a slap in the face to the disproportionate number of Black officers under investigation for misconduct and being held back in their own careers! No doubt an impact on Black Londoners as well.'
George, who is a critic of the police's record on race, said: 'It is deeply concerning that I am facing misconduct proceedings simply for speaking out on issues that directly impact Black officers and communities.
'My role is to advocate for fairness, accountability and justice within policing. This action sends a chilling message, not just to me, but to all Black officers who raise concerns about racial disparities in policing.
'It stifles free speech, undermines my ability to represent our members and reinforces the very inequalities we are fighting to address.
'Policing must be open to scrutiny, not silence those who seek positive change.
'This is the latest in a series of misconduct proceedings brought for engagement on X and is in stark contrast to how the [Police] Federation and senior officers are treated when they speak out.'
The decision to place George under investigation was made by the force he works for, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The discipline notice warns George that he 'may have breached the PSNI code of ethics' and says it follows an allegation the force has received.
The complainant alleged the tweet stirred up racial division, was biased and parts had no factual basis. They said: 'Yet again I write to complain about Inspector Andy George …'
'It is likely to stir up hate, division, and acrimony among officers.'
The complaint that the PSNI based its investigation on continues: 'It is high time this man was removed from policing as it is clear he is intent on harming relations between different races of officers, especially in the Met.'
Blake was charged with murder after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC is now considering whether it should pursue Blake for gross misconduct, despite anger in sections of policing who view his treatment as unfair, or drop its pursuit of him.
After Blake's acquittal in three hours by a jury, seen as a sign of a weak case, it was alleged Kaba was a core member of a violent gang and was suspected of a shooting.
It led to pressure to make it harder to put officers on trial. A government review is expected to give – as police see it – greater protections for officers when they use force as part of their duties. Some see it as immunity for agents of the state.
The PSNI, first contacted on Friday, did not comment.