via UK: Cop wins race discrimination case – NewZimbabwe 10 April 2015
A BLACK police officer originally from Zimbabwe has won a case of racial discrimination in the UK against Wiltshire Police after it emerged he was side-lined for promotion due to the colour of his skin.
An employment tribunal in Bristol found that PC Ronnie Lungu had been singled out “as a marked man” for no other factor than his race.
PC Lungu, who joined the force in 2003 after moving to England from Zimbabwe, had been the only black officer out of 20 who had been seeking permanent promotion having been temporarily promoted in 2013.
But the tribunal ruled that Lungu’s internal assessments had been specifically downgraded in order to make him appear unworthy of promotion.
The ruling said: “The reduction in the scoring has the very significant effect in terms of making it appear reasonable that the one black applicant for promotion was scoring lower than the 19 white applicants and should therefore not be promoted.”
The tribunal heard evidence that derogatory comments had been made about Lungu based on his skin colour which violated his dignity.
It also was told that a senior member of staff had been invited to make negative comments about PC Lungu during an appraisal, to which the tribunal ruled: “This behaviour is so extreme that the Tribunal cannot think of any apparent motive other than one that is directly related to [the] claimant’s race.”
When the father-of-three raised his discrimination with senior officers he was not taken seriously and the complaints brushed off as trivial, the tribunal in Bristol said.
Lungu said: “When I realised I was being singled out and treated badly because of the colour of my skin I felt so angry and upset.
“I had worked all my career to serve the community and be the best police officer I could but I was being penalised because I was black.
“It was totally unacceptable. But what made matters worse was that when I did raise the issue internally it wasn’t taken seriously.”
Despite his treatment, Lungu is still serving as a PC with the force.
“I joined the force to uphold the law and I still would like to remain with the force,” he said.
“I need reassurance from Wiltshire Police that they will take issues of discrimination seriously in future and I want to see new procedures put in place to tackle discrimination and better education among senior members of staff in how to deal with complaints.”
His lawyer, Juliette Franklin, said: “It’s extremely disappointing that people are facing this sort of prejudice and discrimination.
“Wiltshire Police needs to take this tribunal ruling very seriously and take swift steps to address any failings which have been identified.
“The force needs to ensure that officers feel confident that if they experience racism or discrimination that any complaint will be taken seriously.”
Mike White, Chair of Wiltshire Police Federation, and PC Lungu’s Police Federation representative said: “This judgement sends a stark message out to Wiltshire Police that discriminatory behaviour on the basis of race still exists within the organisation.
“It takes special people, like Ronnie Lungu, to stand up and challenge such behaviours and I applaud his bravery in doing so.”
The Police Federation is the body that represents police officers from the rank of Constable to Chief Inspector. Legal representation for cases such as this are funded from members subscriptions.
White added: “It was the Police Federation that took Ronnie’s issues seriously and provided him with access to legal advice and representation. We welcome the findings of the tribunal and will work with Wiltshire Police to ensure this cannot happen again.”
Wiltshire Police’s Chief Constable Patrick Geenty said: “Wiltshire Police have been given the judgment of an Employment Tribunal where an officer claimed he was discriminated against and harassed due to his ethnicity.
“I can confirm that the judgment upheld the majority of the officer’s complaints. Wiltshire Police take this matter very seriously and I am concerned by the Tribunal’s findings.
“Clearly, the issues this raises do need to be carefully considered. We continue to work hard to embed our values and behaviours and the Code of Ethics within the organisation. Wiltshire Police will learn lessons from this process and continue to move forward.
“As an organisation we have a very small number of Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) staff (16 officers, 15 police staff and 3 Police Special Constables) and this judgment raises some serious concerns about how an officer felt he was treated.
“I have no doubt that this judgment will affect members of the Black and Ethnic Minority community who might be considering joining Wiltshire Police.
“This case was complex and there were a number of points covered. With our legal advisors, we are undertaking an assessment of the Tribunal’s findings in order to decide whether to appeal any aspects of the judgment.
“Following this assessment, decisions will be made on what action we may need to take and how we can ensure that lessons are learnt from this case.
“We will continue to engage with the officer and his representatives to ensure that he can continue to be a valued member of Wiltshire Police. All necessary training and support will continue to be provided to him.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson described the ruling as “very damaging” and unlikely to inspire new recruits from minority backgrounds.
He said: “I have read the judgment and been fully briefed. There is an important organisational issue here and an important issue for the individual concerned.
“I have asked what will be done for the officer in the light of the judgment and how the Force can ensure that lessons are learnt from this case.
“There is also a wider organisational issue. I strongly believe that Wiltshire Police should be reflective of the diverse communities it serves.
“This means that we need more officers and staff working for the Force from black and minority ethnic groups.”
COMMENTS
If PC Lungu is so interested in upholding the law why go come back to Zimbablooba and do it there??? Can you imagine a British National trying to join the ZRP (Zim Rubbish police) and having any chance of a fair go at it??? Burns my ass , global village and equal rights for all but only in the evil western democracies???????
@The Mind Boggles, no need for a such a comment, we need to look at this case as it is. Even the Wiltshire police admit something is wrong here and injustice is injustice wherever it is. The fact that Zimbabweans are denied justice at home by a certain Robert Mugabe does not mean they have to denied justice everywhere else.
@the mind boggles,,,freedom of movement ,anything wrong of him joining that police force,,no,,,if this the case,,,I dnt think it’s a good idea to say everybody should go back to their native countries,,who will be affected most, whites,Indians,Chinese etc,,but not blacks,,,please leave your race comments
Apologies , having re read my comment it hasn’t come across the way I intended, two wrongs don’t make a right and you are correct Zimbo society in general is not hostile towards it’s minorities only a certain sector.
Ok Mind Boggles…you are forgiven but we are all fake in thinking that there is no racism, discrimination etc. We need to acknowledge it, confront it to be able to fight it. Why is the world so quiet about Zimbabwe…including the British government??? Where are the tornadoes that they flew into Libya and Iraq???? That is also discrimination!! i suppose there is no good oil in Zim!
Hi Guys
What is “racism” really??? Garikayi you are getting far to deep and complicated when you refer to “tornadoes” and “oil” etc those things are above the common man (or woman of all colours). I am a born free and I am white (brownish actually ha ha) some of my longest standing friends are black (dark brownish actually ha ha). I may have a day when I feel persecuted and lash out at somebody like PC Lungu who does not deserve my poorly directed anger but does that condemn me to the low levels of the NAZI regime for example.
Yes we must confront it I agree it does none of us any good in the future to be judging one another based on skin colour but we have to be in the majority from all sides and condemn it in the strongest terms possible whether it’s black on white or white on black or anything in between. I guess my anger is directed at the silent black majority (Good human beings) whom remain silent when it’s persecution against whites.
Again I reiterate we’re all actually varying shades of brown. Sorry again if I offended my brothers (and sisters)
and the story continues …… God favours the brave!