Officer given written warning for 'Hamas' comment

A police officer who told a Muslim colleague she had donated money to "Hamas" has been given a written warning.

PC Thomas Barnard of Northamptonshire Police was the subject of a two-day gross misconduct disciplinary hearing.

The officer, who attended the hearing, faced allegations of "failing to treat his colleague with respect" and courtesy and "unfairly discriminating [against] his colleague".

The panel found PC Barnard breached standards of police behaviour including respect and courtesy, diversity and equality and discreditable conduct.

The hearing, held at Northamptonshire Police headquarters on 10 and11 December, heard that on 16 March this year, PC Barnard admitted an allegation of projecting a "negative/stereotypical view" by conflating Palestinians with a terror organisation.

PC Barnard's colleague - referred to as Person A - told him how she had purchased products from a charity organisation which raises money for Palestine.

He then "commented words to the effect of 'Hamas, you mean'," the misconduct hearing was told.

A total of six allegations levied at PC Barnard were all admitted by the officer, including making unnecessary references to Person A's ethnicity, unnecessary stereotyping and saying the name of an Indian grocery shop in an accent "and words to the effect of 'that's your favourite shop'".

Person A spoke to a colleague about the comments which had left her "really upset", which led to the investigation.

PC Barnard, who joined the force in 2014, was working on the same response team as Person A and in evidence both described each other as friends.

The hearing was told that Person A said PC Barnard was "an amazing police officer" and they spent time together regularly when on duty and between themselves and with other colleagues would often become involved in banter.

The misconduct panel found that the background to the alleged misconduct was "significant".

PC Barnard told the panel during the hearing that he had apologised "unreservedly" to Person A for any upset caused.

A report published in light of the hearing issued the officer with a written warning and recommended PC Barnard attends refresher training courses in equality and diversity, and in the code of ethics for police officers.

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