Tribunal rules police sergeant was racially discriminated

A BRITISH police sergeant was overlooked for pro­motion because of his Pakistani roots, an employ­ment tribunal ruled last week.

Zaheer Ahmed, 54, claimed he was snubbed during his 23-year career when “less experienced, less quali­fied, white” officers were favoured for promotions.

Ahmed, who worked with the North Yorkshire Police force, claimed he faced discrimination as he attempted to climb the career ladder.

The tribunal found that the now-retired officer was exposed to “unconscious race discrimination”, plus two instances of “direct discrimination”.

Ahmed said: “It is distressing to me that you can be called a n***** in an aggressive and intimidating manner, humiliatingly in front of all your colleagues and then told that it wasn’t being pursued.”

Having left the police force last September when he was passed over for promotion on several occa­sions, he said he was “hurt” by the discriminatory treatment he received.

He claimed to have applied for a custody ser­geant role, but the position was given to less-skilled colleagues despite Ahmed being told he needed more experience.

“I served as a police officer for 23 years,” he said. “I gave my life to the job and was eager to succeed in my career. My loyalty and dedication has been rewarded with resistance and humiliation.” Ahmed is expected to receive a substantial damages pay-out in a hear­ing that does not yet have a secure scheduled date.