WIREDGOV

Operation Forbes has been launched to provide greater focus and extra resources for investigations into allegations of discrimination at Cleveland Police. It spans three significant areas of investigation:

An independent investigation following an employment tribunal in November 2015, which concluded that PC Nadeem Saddique, who has now retired, was subject to discrimination due to his race. This investigation is already underway and evidence has been gathered, but it will now receive extra resources to enable all lines of enquiry to be completed.

We are independently investigating complaints linked to how Cleveland Police carried out an Equality Review in 2011. These complaints, which include allegations of discrimination, were initially investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). We will now investigate these complaints further and the scope of this investigation will be finalised soon.

A managed investigation, being carried out by West Midlands Police, regarding the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) by Cleveland Police. The use of RIPA was the subject of an Investigatory Powers Tribunal ruling, concluding in January 2017, which found that Cleveland Police had in some cases used the powers unlawfully. This investigation is currently being scoped out and terms of reference have been agreed.

Operations Manager Lauren Collins said:

“We have been dealing with a number of complaints and referrals concerning allegations of discrimination at Cleveland Police and have taken the decision to oversee these investigations under one strategic operation. Given the seriousness of these allegations and the potential links between them, we want to ensure that we have a co-ordinated approach that makes best use of the resources and skills we have available to us. We will publish our findings following the conclusion of Operation Forbes.”