Chief constable denies discriminatory behaviour

Chief Constable Craig Guildford referred ex-inspector Khizra Bano to professional standards because he did not want to deal with the situation himself, the tribunal heard

A tribunal into claims the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police was discriminatory in his behaviour heard he reported an inspector to a professional standards department to avoid dealing with the situation himself.

The hearings are taking place after ex-inspector Khizra Bano claimed widespread racism and homophobia exists within the force, and had been primary support for ex-firearms officer Rebecca Kalam, who won a sex discrimination case.

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

However, because it was not a disciplinary matter, Mr Guildford asked Ms Bano to leave, allegedly saying to her: "Get up and get out of my office." But, at the hearing Mr Guildford denied the claim, saying he had calmly asked her to leave.

Ms Bano then became abusive and started shouting at him, calling him a bully and an expletive, Mr Guildford told the hearing, adding he thought she was acting strangely and irrationally.

Once she had left the room, Mr Guildford said the officer told him Ms Bano has autism and was having an "autistic meltdown", after receiving some bad news earlier.

'Now you're torturing me'

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

However, she then shouted: "I'm autistic, now you're torturing me", he told the tribunal.

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

Khizra Bano has taken Chief Constable Craig Guildford to an employment tribunal

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

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

'Disproportionate and bizarre'

He told the hearing he did not want to deal with it himself as it would not be fair on the individual, and it was appropriate for the PSD to "make a judgement."

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

Mr Guildford was reminded Home Office guidance states that only serious breaches in conduct should be dealt with through disciplinary proceedings.

As someone with 30 years experience in policing, it was suggested to him that he had an obligation not to treat a colleague unfavourably because of a disability.

However, Mr Guildford said that was why he wanted to give the case to the PSD, because they were independent, "very sensible, proportionate and fair".

In a meeting with Mr Guildford, Ms Bano said: "I'm autistic, now you're torturing me", the tribunal heard

Asked about Ms Bano's support for Ms Kalam, Mr Guildford said he did not know this was the case, despite lots of other senior colleagues knowing about the 2024 case.

The lawyers suggested Mr Guildford did not treat Ms Bano with compassion because she had been the most effective advocate for Ms Kalam, but he replied: "That's simply not true."

Lawyers put to him that the "sad truth is that those who had supported Rebecca Kalam were no longer welcome in the force".

They said that every single person or witness involved in her case had either left the force or brought claims against the force.

Mr Guildford was asked if he had ever personally apologised to Ms Kalam.

He said the force apologised, and Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green had made a public apology at the time.

The tribunal continues.