Ex-inspector's six-figure settlement from police

The Police Federation said Khizra Bano had dedicated more than two decades of her life to policing

A former police inspector who accused West Midlands Police of victimisation and disability discrimination is to receive a six-figure sum after settling with the force.

Khizra Bano also claimed widespread racism and homophobia existed within the force, but her claims for sex and race discrimination were previously dismissed by a tribunal.

As part of the settlement, the force admitted no formal liability.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said it had made significant progress over the last few years in addressing improper behaviour.

The Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents officers, said the settlement reflected the profound harm experienced by an officer who dedicated more than two decades of her life to the service.

However, a spokesperson said: "Settlements like these might close a case, but they don't close the issue."

Ms Bano, who previously won an officer of the year award, believed she was marginalised after supporting former firearms officer Det Insp Rebecca Kalam, who won an employment tribunal in January 2024 - a claim the force denied.

The tribunal investigated claims that Chief Constable Craig Guildford was discriminatory in his behaviour

Last month, the tribunal panel heard Ms Bano had clashed with Chief Constable Craig Guildford during a meeting in May 2023 to discuss her support for another colleague, also at the meeting, who feared he was in trouble.

As it was not a disciplinary meeting, Ms Bano was asked to leave, the tribunal heard, but there was a dispute between the two sides about how that was handled.

Ms Bano said she was told: "Get up and get out of my office."

The chief constable, however, denied that his behaviour was discriminatory and said he had calmly asked her to leave, adding that she became abusive and started shouting at him, calling him a bully and using an expletive.

Mr Guildford told the hearing that when she came back into his office, he had said he would like to see her at a later date and she could bring a friend for support.

He said she had then shouted: "I'm autistic, now you're torturing me."

The next day, Mr Guildford referred Ms Bano to the professional standards department (PSD) to investigate.

Ms Bano said she had loved her job and thought she would be buried in her uniform

At the tribunal, Mr Guildford was asked why he took this approach, rather than contact occupational health or refer it to a senior officer.

Mr Guildford said he had felt contacting PSD was appropriate because it would carry out an independent investigation.

The legal panel told him they found his actions to be "disproportionate and bizarre to refer Ms Bano to a formal investigation".

She retired from the force in 2024 after she said her mental health had suffered because of what she had been through.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We know officers are more confident and better supported to make internal reports, and we are disciplining and dismissing officers who engage in discriminatory behaviour, or otherwise breach our high professional standards.

"However, WMP will resolutely defend any unfair allegations of discrimination made against it.

"We are sorry that Ms Dhindsa [Bano] is no longer a serving officer. We thank her for her service with WMP and wish her well in the future."

Ms Bano won an officer of the year award during her career but retired in 2024 as she said her mental health had suffered from what she had been through

The Police Federation urged forces not to see settlements "as the price of doing business".

"They must confront with candour what they say about their culture, leadership, and duty of care," a spokesperson said.

"Every officer knows the mental toll that policing can take: the trauma, the scrutiny, the impossible demands.

"But they also have the right to expect that their force will protect and deliver its duty of care to the highest standard.

"There is simply too much evidence across the service that this does not happen anywhere near as uniformly as it needs to."

Mukund Krishna, CEO of the Police Federation, said: "I want to thank Khizra for her service to police and to neighbourhoods across the West Midlands, and wish her the very best for the future.

"Khizra's story must not be treated as isolated or as a closed chapter. It must be a catalyst for change: for a culture that puts people before process, that recognises the psychological reality of modern policing, and that values honesty over defensiveness."