Latest news with #PcKorell
The Independent
28-01-2025
- The Independent
Met Police officer called black colleagues ‘cotton pickers', panel rules
A Metropolitan Police officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct by calling her black colleagues 'cotton pickers'. Pc Mia Korell, who is part of the Roads and Transport policing command, was accused of using the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit. It was alleged Pc Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Inspector Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty near the University of Surrey in Guildford on October 7 2022. A misconduct panel on Tuesday ruled Pc Korell had said the 'derogatory, disrespectful and racist' term and that her saying it amounted to gross misconduct. Delivering its decision, chairman of the panel Commander Jason Prins said: '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. 'The panel accepts the officer used the word cotton pickers in a derogatory, disrespectful and racist manner.' Mr 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. Mr Prins added that Pc Korell's use of the words was 'out of character' but was 'meant to be derogatory'. 'Although these words were discriminatory the panel does not consider the officer to be inherently racist,' Mr Prins told the hearing in central London on Tuesday. 'The panel is satisfied the word cotton picker was intended to be derogatory, discourteous to black officers and that the word is racist in nature.' The 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. Pc Korell and Mr Phillips had had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct hearing was told. Although these words were discriminatory the panel does not consider the officer to be inherently racist. The panel is satisfied the words cotton picker were intended to be derogatory, discourteous to black officers and that the words were racist in nature Mr Prins, panel chairman Mr Phillips told the panel Pc Korell asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he said no. He said it was then that Pc Korell said black TSG officers who do not agree that the TSG is a racist unit are 'just cotton pickers'. Giving evidence to the panel on Monday, Mr Phillips said: 'The conversation was fairly clear. '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.' Pc Korell, who is studying for a PhD examining the experience of black officers in the police, denied the allegation. She told the panel on Monday: 'It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular. 'I am aware of its existence but I didn't say it, it strikes me as odd.' The hearing was told Mr Phillips emailed Pc Korell's line manager to report her use of the term on October 17 2022. Asked by Rebecca Hadgett, representing Pc Korell, why he did not report it sooner, Mr Phillips said he drafted an email on the day of the incident but was unable to speak to Pc Korell's line manager until a later date because he was away on holiday. Mr Prins said: 'The panel finds the delay is understandable in view of the sensitivity of the matter but finds Mr Phillips could and should have reported it earlier to another manager.' Pc Korell was given a final written warning to last five years.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
Met Police officer called black colleagues ‘cotton pickers', panel rules
A Metropolitan Police officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct by calling her black colleagues 'cotton pickers'. Pc Mia Korell, who is part of the Roads and Transport policing command, was accused of using the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit. It was alleged Pc Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Inspector Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty near the University of Surrey in Guildford on October 7 2022. A misconduct panel on Tuesday ruled Pc Korell had said the 'derogatory, disrespectful and racist' term and that her saying it amounted to gross misconduct. Delivering its decision, chairman of the panel Commander Jason Prins said: '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. 'The panel accepts the officer used the word cotton pickers in a derogatory, disrespectful and racist manner.' Mr 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. Mr Prins added that Pc Korell's use of the words was 'out of character' but was 'meant to be derogatory'. 'Although these words were discriminatory the panel does not consider the officer to be inherently racist,' Mr Prins told the hearing in central London on Tuesday. 'The panel is satisfied the word cotton picker was intended to be derogatory, discourteous to black officers and that the word is racist in nature.' The 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. Pc Korell and Mr Phillips had had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct hearing was told. Mr Phillips told the panel Pc Korell asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he said no. He said it was then that Pc Korell said black TSG officers who do not agree that the TSG is a racist unit are 'just cotton pickers'. Giving evidence to the panel on Monday, Mr Phillips said: 'The conversation was fairly clear. '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.' Pc Korell, who is studying for a PhD examining the experience of black officers in the police, denied the allegation. She told the panel on Monday: 'It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular. 'I am aware of its existence but I didn't say it, it strikes me as odd.' The hearing was told Mr Phillips emailed Pc Korell's line manager to report her use of the term on October 17 2022. Asked by Rebecca Hadgett, representing Pc Korell, why he did not report it sooner, Mr Phillips said he drafted an email on the day of the incident but was unable to speak to Pc Korell's line manager until a later date because he was away on holiday. Mr Prins said: 'The panel finds the delay is understandable in view of the sensitivity of the matter but finds Mr Phillips could and should have reported it earlier to another manager.' Pc Korell was given a final written warning to last five years.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Yahoo
Met Police officer denies calling black officers ‘cotton pickers'
A Metropolitan Police officer could face dismissal from the force over an allegation that she called black officers 'cotton pickers'. Pc Mia Korell, who is part of the Roads and Transport policing command, allegedly used the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit, a misconduct hearing was told. Chloe Hill, a solicitor representing the Metropolitan Police, said the term, which Pc Korell denies using, is 'grossly offensive and derogatory'. It is alleged Pc Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Inspector Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty in Guildford on October 7 2022. The pair had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct panel heard. Giving evidence to the hearing in central London on Monday, Mr Phillips said: 'We were having a pleasant conversation, we were both clearly very interested in race and the police.' He claims Pc Korell asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he said no. 'The conversation was fairly clear,' Mr 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 Mr Phillips emailed Pc Korell's line manager to report her use of the term on October 17 2022. Asked why he did not report it sooner, Mr Phillips said he drafted an email on the day of the incident but was unable to speak to Pc Korell's line manager until a later date because he was away on holiday. 'I felt it was an unusual phrase that stuck in my mind,' Mr Phillips told the panel. 'It was not something I had seen, and I realised these are my friends she was referring to and it is not a pleasant term or how I'd like them to be referred to. 'It is derogatory and racist.' Pc Korell, who is doing a PhD called On The Experiences Of Black Police Officers, told the panel she bumped into Mr Phillips after a long day of studying at the University of Surrey. 'I was anxious to get home, I was very uncomfortable,' Pc Korell said. '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.' Pc Korell had been facing another misconduct hearing at the time. 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 hearing. Pc Korell denied using the term 'cotton pickers' and said: 'It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular. 'I am aware of its existence but I didn't say it, it strikes me as odd.' Asked if she would condemn someone who did not report racism, she said: 'If someone has had a horrible experience, when they have been a victim, from personal experience it can take some time to come forward. 'If someone were to condemn me for not coming forward, I think that would be grossly unfair. 'It takes people time when it comes to their own personal experiences.' If the panel finds the allegation to be true, Pc Korell will be found in breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour. The conduct would amount to gross misconduct and could justify her dismissal, the Met Police said. The hearing continues.
The Independent
27-01-2025
- The Independent
Met Police officer denies calling black officers ‘cotton pickers'
A Metropolitan Police officer could face dismissal from the force over an allegation that she called black officers 'cotton pickers'. Pc Mia Korell, who is part of the Roads and Transport policing command, allegedly used the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit, a misconduct hearing was told. Chloe Hill, a solicitor representing the Metropolitan Police, said the term, which Pc Korell denies using, is 'grossly offensive and derogatory'. It is alleged Pc Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Inspector Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty in Guildford on October 7 2022. The pair had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct panel heard. The conversation was fairly clear. 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 Mr Phillips Giving evidence to the hearing in central London on Monday, Mr Phillips said: 'We were having a pleasant conversation, we were both clearly very interested in race and the police.' He claims Pc Korell asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he said no. 'The conversation was fairly clear,' Mr 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 Mr Phillips emailed Pc Korell's line manager to report her use of the term on October 17 2022. Asked why he did not report it sooner, Mr Phillips said he drafted an email on the day of the incident but was unable to speak to Pc Korell's line manager until a later date because he was away on holiday. 'I felt it was an unusual phrase that stuck in my mind,' Mr Phillips told the panel. 'It was not something I had seen, and I realised these are my friends she was referring to and it is not a pleasant term or how I'd like them to be referred to. 'It is derogatory and racist.' Pc Korell, who is doing a PhD called On The Experiences Of Black Police Officers, told the panel she bumped into Mr Phillips after a long day of studying at the University of Surrey. 'I was anxious to get home, I was very uncomfortable,' Pc Korell said. '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.' Pc Korell had been facing another misconduct hearing at the time. 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 hearing. Pc Korell denied using the term 'cotton pickers' and said: 'It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular. 'I am aware of its existence but I didn't say it, it strikes me as odd.' Asked if she would condemn someone who did not report racism, she said: 'If someone has had a horrible experience, when they have been a victim, from personal experience it can take some time to come forward. If someone were to condemn me for not coming forward, I think that would be grossly unfair. It takes people time when it comes to their own personal experiences Pc Korell 'If someone were to condemn me for not coming forward, I think that would be grossly unfair. 'It takes people time when it comes to their own personal experiences.' If the panel finds the allegation to be true, Pc Korell will be found in breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour. The conduct would amount to gross misconduct and could justify her dismissal, the Met Police said. The hearing continues.
