PSAEW: Press statement from Vice President Derek Barnett

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Tuesday, 16, Sep 2008 12:00

Senior officers will today (Tuesday) call for an end to the in-fighting within the Metropolitan Police Service over allegations of racism.

Association Vice president Derek Barnett says recent allegations are damaging and undermine efforts by thousands of colleagues to eradicate racism in the Police Service.

In his address to the Association’s annual conference, Derek says: ‘How damaging is it to the credibility of the Police Service, not just the Metropolitan Police Service, to have the superb work being performed daily by our police officers, PCSOs, and police staff, undermined by such overtly publicity seeking moves?

‘We should concentrate on policing and delivering the best possible service to the public. Let us get on with the job we are paid to do.’

He says the issues should be dealt with ‘appropriately through mediation or employment tribunal proceedings, not in the media.’

Derek will also express outrage at the recent High Court decision that police killer David Bieber should not face a full life term for the murder of PC Ian Broadhurst.

Derek describes the ruling as ‘the ultimate insult to the memory of a brave officer’ and goes on to say: ‘If the cold-blooded execution of a police officer in full uniform on the streets of this country serving the community and protecting society is not seen as justifying a full life sentence then what does?

‘Is it too much to expect that the courts should offer the confidence to police officers that they will support them in sending the message that killing a police officer means they should serve the maximum sentence available to the courts?’