KentOnline report that a police officer has been awarded more than £27,000 in compensation by an employment tribunal after he was subjected to racial discrimination by Kent Police. The tribunal heard that PC Bowler raised grievances about alleged racist bullying and discrimination by colleagues that Kent Police failed to investigate. During the hearing it was revealed that once Bowler had raised his grievances, his performance marks were lowered and he was subjected to even more discriminatory treatment. Bowler was left “astonished and dismayed” after senior officer DCI Somerville failed to take his grievance seriously. DCI Somerville admitted he didn’t understand equality law and turned to the dictionary definition of racism to convince himself and others that Kent Police’s actions had not been racist. The tribunal awarded Bowler £20,822 for injury to feelings, £5,165 for aggravated damages, and £1,450 for the cost of bringing the case to tribunal. Kent Police have appealed the decision as they do not accept that the officer was treated differently due to his race.

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