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Detective accuses police of racism
By Rebecca Mowling, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 29.05.03A black policeman who was racially assaulted by two of the Stephen Lawrence murder suspects is claiming he is the victim of "institutional racism" within the police.
Gareth Reid, who was racially abused and assaulted by Neil Acourt and David Norris close to the scene of Stephen's murder, claims he was refused extra responsibilities in the Met because of his ethnic origin.
An employment tribunal heard how he suffered "direct and subtle" racial discrimination at the hands of his superiors-while he was a detective constable at Peckham.
The 38-year-old and his family were rehoused following death threats from Combat 18 after the trial of Acourt and Norris.
Last year Acourt, 28, and Norris, 26, were each jailed for 18 months after being found guilty of racially aggravated intentional harassment in 2001.
The pair hurled a drinks container and shouted " nigger" at off-duty Dc Reid in Eltham, less than half a mile from where Stephen Lawrence was killed 10 years ago.
Acourt stood trial for the murder of Stephen, but was acquitted. Charges against Norris never came to court.
Dc Reid, a trained firearms officer with 11 years on the force, told the Croydon hearing he had been ignored for promotion at the expense of less-experienced white colleagues.
Reading from his witness statement, he said: "From my perception and experience, there can be a tendency for white officers to see their black colleagues in the same way that they perceive black criminals."
Dc Reid, who is still based in Peckham, added: "I can, to some extent, cope with it on the streets because a black man in a uniform is an obvious target. It is not the kind of behaviour I expect from colleagues."
He added that he felt Peckham CID supported procedures "which were institutionally racist in its dealing with myself ".
The tribunal continues.
Reader views (5)
I think that people should not comment unless they know the full facts, after all mr gareth reid has served along time in the police force. He has put his full heart and sole into his work, into a job that he loves so much that it come before everything, before his own family and his self. gareth is only pertecting the black police force from these similar situations!! no one should have to put up with racism, no where, not at home neither work!! I have two mixed race children and they went through racism at school when they were younger, do you think when they are working boys that they should have to put up with this at there work place, no they should not and neithervshould anyone else!! I wish gareth reid all the luck in the world and well done for what you are doing!!
- Sonia, south ockendon,essex, 02/02/2010 01:57
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Here we are in 2009 - is this the same man who is sueing the met, again?? Pray tell more about this person, we should know all the facts as it's our money!
- Tara Spencer, London, 27/12/2009 15:24
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No educated person can comment without hearing from both parties. I am not only aware of this case, but I know this DCI personally. Just by Googling you would see that this is the third attempt to gain monies from THE TAX PAYER. It is very easy as a member of the general public (like me) to fall for the media hype in selling newspapers. BUT don’t you think it would be better if we knew the facts from both sides before passing judgement.
- Debbie, Oxford, 27/10/2009 20:45
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What a stupid statement from Donella who bases here opinion on the one sided and biased reporting of this incident! I have knowledge of this case and this man Reid is undermining all the hard work carried out by genuine ethnic and minority officers. His failings and inability to be managed are passed off as racism destroying the relationship that is being built by the Met Police and can only be construed as selfish and perhaps financially motivated.
- Stewart, Sevenoaks, 27/10/2009 20:21
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OUTRAGEOUS! How can they work for the POLICE FORCE, if they themselves are RACISTS? After all RACISM is a CRIME isn't it?
- Donella, Romford, 27/10/2009 19:21
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