Latest news with #PCKorell
BBC News
28-01-2025
- BBC News
Met PC disciplined for using racist term in conversation
A Metropolitan police officer has been given a final warning after a misconduct panel found she had used the term "cotton pickers" to refer to black panel said PC Mia Korell committed gross misconduct for using the words in an off-duty conversation with a fellow Korell, who is black, had denied using the offensive phrase in her exchange with Insp Alistair Phillips - while they were both off duty - in Guildford on 7 October 2022, saying "it is not part of my vernacular".A misconduct panel on Tuesday ruled she had said the "derogatory, disrespectful and racist" term and she was given a final written warning, to last five years. 'Meant to be derogatory' Cdr Jason Prins, chairman of the misconduct panel, said they were satisfied the expression was intended to be derogatory, discourteous to black officers "and that the word is racist in nature".He added that the panel found Mr Phillips "had no motive to fabricate the allegation and it would have reflected badly on his career had he done so".Cdr Prins said the panel found the words used "fitted the context of the conversation" and gave weight to Mr Phillips being "100% sure" that cotton pickers was said that PC Korell's use of the words was "out of character" and the panel did not consider her to be "inherently racist". Chance meeting Insp Phillips and PC Korell were discussing whether the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit, after a chance meeting near the University of Surrey, where the policewoman is studying for a PhD on the experience of black police officers. PC Korell used the term to describe black officers who did not believe the TSG was a racist unit, the misconduct hearing was told on Phillips alleged that she asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he replied he did not."The conversation was fairly clear," Insp Phillips told the panel. "I don't think there was any misunderstanding. I am 100% sure that was the exact phrase used."The hearing was told Insp Phillips emailed PC Korell's line manager to report her language on 17 October panel ruled PC Korell had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in the force, in respect of discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and equality and diversity.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- BBC News
Met Police: PC denies calling colleagues 'cotton-pickers'
A Metropolitan Police officer has denied an allegation that she described black officers as "cotton-pickers".A disciplinary hearing was told that PC Mia Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Insp Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty in Guildford on 7 October the hearing in central London on Monday, a solicitor representing the Met Police, Chloe Hill, said the phrase was "grossly offensive and derogatory".PC Korell denied using the words and told the hearing: "It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular." 'I am 100% sure' The pair had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct panel Korell used the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit, the misconduct hearing was Phillips alleged that she asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he replied he did not."The conversation was fairly clear," Insp Phillips told the panel. "I don't think there was any misunderstanding. I am 100% sure that was the exact phrase used."It is a very bizarre phrase to make up, and I have very little to gain from making a story up."The hearing was told Insp Phillips emailed PC Korell's line manager to report her language on 17 October 2022. Could amount to gross misconduct PC Korell, who is studying for a PhD called On The Experiences Of Black Police Officers, told the panel she bumped into Insp Phillips after a long day of studying at the University of Surrey."I was anxious to get home, I was very uncomfortable," said PC Korell, who had been facing another misconduct hearing when the conversation happened."I was under investigation at the time, I didn't particularly want to see anyone from work, also I was very pregnant so standing up for a long time is not good."The officer denied initiating the conversation about racism in the TSG."Unfortunately, I have never come across a black officer at the TSG who has said there are no issues with race and it is not racist," she told the the panel finds the allegation to be true, it could amount to gross misconduct and justify her dismissal, the Met Police hearing continues.
