A British police officer made homophobic and racist comments on Pakistanis in the course of his duty.
The disciplinary hearing ruled Thames Valley Police officer PC Perry Greenhalf, who was based in Newbury and resigned on Tuesday, committed gross misconduct.
A colleague told him that Pakistan is dirty and smelly. He also made homophobic comments regarding a child.
He was found guilty of misconduct and dismissed by the panel at Thames Valley Police Headquarters in Kidlington (Oxfordshire).
There was no reason to, as he had already quit the police force.
Greenhalf, who was unable to attend, denied gross misconduct, but admitted that he used some language.
After allegedly making the comments while on duty, colleagues reported him to them.
At a meeting about an October 2020 alleged breach by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, he stated that Pakistan is “a filthy and stinky country”.
The Thames Valley Police headquarters, Kidlington, Oxfordshire was host to the panel. They ruled that Perry Greenhalf’s conduct was sufficiently serious for dismissal.
He did indeed make the comments, and that they were offensively racist and showed prejudice against a group.
They found that it wasn’t proven that he said, “The house smells of curry anyway.”
He made a homophobic comment about another coworker’s sexuality while discussing plans for a party.
His colleagues also claimed that last summer he had made remarks about an exploited and vulnerable child.
These homophobic comments were proven to be true and they are referred to as “extremely offensive”.
Thames Valley covers Berkshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and is the largest force in Britain.
Chiew Yin Jones, panel chair, stated that based on our findings, we believed the ex-officer had clearly violated professional standards by his offensive and racist comments.
“His conduct could undoubtedly have adversely affected public confidence,”
Prosecutor George Thomas stated that the officer made offensive comments before entering a home of an Asian family.
Pakistan was described as a “smelly, dirty” place. The family would consider it their home.
He was accompanied by PC Michael Rice who said to Perry that he reminded Perry of wearing a mask, because we are trying to set an example and follow the rules.
“Perry didn’t buy in to the Covid idea and was not concerned about the restrictions.
“He stated that the house would smell like curry anyway… Pakistan is dirty and smelly.
“The fact that his comment was like this so early in our work relationship has caused me concern.”
PC Greenhalf told a colleague, ‘Pakistan is a dirty, smelly country’ and made homophobic comments about a child (file photo)
Thomas explained that this comment refers to the unfavorable persecution of the Pakistani Community in the 1970s and 80s. The language also allows that historical persecution to continue within certain parts of the British community.
“This was not misconduct, but gross misconduct.
It is fundamental to modern policing to reflect the communities you serve.
“That is an integral part of the service that a cop provides for the community.
According to the tribunal, PC Greenhalf was accused of using homophobic slurs against a teen boy named P. He was well-known by police officers in the region.
Thomas disclosed that P had suffered child sexual exploitation, and was often missing.
When discussing PC Greenhalf’s teenager, however, he made ‘bigoted sexualised remarks’ to his colleague PC Laura Greaves.
She stated that there wasn’t any need to. P is a missing person who I met a lot. He also has mental issues.
‘PC Greenhalf appeared to have no desire to become a police officer. He seemed as if he had the ability and freedom to do what he likes and didn’t care.
Thomas stated, “The homophobic language regarding P is especially serious.” P was the name of a minor identified as at-risk for child sexual exploitation.
“The homophobic language Greenhalf used raises grave concerns that Greenhalf can be trusted to properly handle his policing duties with regard to P.
“It would significantly undermine the public trust, confidence and commitment in Thames Valley Police to protect homosexual teenage boys from sexual abuse.”
PC Adey-Butt was another witness who said that he is proud to have worn the uniform, and that it angers him that anyone else could do such a thing (file photo).
It was one of many homophobic remarks Greenhalf made on patrol while out in public.
PC Adey-Butt another witness stated that she was proud to be wearing the uniform, and that it made her angry that others could do such a thing.
On the hearing it was disclosed that Greenhalf used homophobic language against his fellow colleagues.
Mr Thomas concluded ‘It is our position that all the allegations are proven and, taken together, amount to gross misconduct.’
Greenhalf was convicted by the tribunal of making homophobic remarks.
But they disapproved of his racist remarks about a Pakistani couple’s curry-smelling house.
He was however found to have called the country smelly and dirty by the panel and was therefore convicted for gross misconduct.