Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Ian Johnson

Northumbria Police reveals why PC who called takeaway staff p**** didn't face criminal probe

Northumbria Police says PC Katie Barratt, who admitted branding takeaway staff p****, "didn't meet the threshold" for a criminal investigation.

The officer, sacked for her racist outburst, won her job back on Monday - while being awarded at least £15,000 in backpay.

An appeal panel gave her the green light to resume her career with Northumbria Police, even though the force tried blocking her returning.

Shocked colleagues reported her to bosses after watching her say "I wish these f****** p**** would hurry up with my pizza" inside the Spice of Punjab on on Westmorland Road following a boozy Christmas staff party.

While she faced an internal probe, a force spokesperson confirmed PC Barratt was never arrested or interviewed under caution over the outburst which even her own barrister admitted was an "abomination".

Takeaway staff respond after race slur Northumbria Police cop who verbally abused staff gets job back 

The misconduct hearings heard she didn't directly abuse the staff although it was only down to "luck" they didn't hear.

It is understood that, for the criminal threshold to be met, comments have to cause alarm, distress or harrassment.

Spice of Punjab on Westmorland Road (newcastle chronicle)

PC Barratt, who comes from a police family, wiped away tears of joy as an appeal panel ruled that the initial decision to sack her was too harsh.

Over 20 character references were submitted on behalf of the PC, who insists "there's no deep, meaningful racism in me".

Top cop sacked over inappropriate sexual advances towards two Northumbria Police workers

Her barrister, Guy Ladenburg, accepted her slurs were an "abomination" but claimed she'd since curbed her drinking.

And he said she felt that she shouldn't have been sacked "because it is not the worst kind of racism".

But questions will be asked over how a police officer - who admitted using a racial slur - can expect to work in an area as culturally diverse as Tyneside.

And addressing the misconduct ruling, the North East branch of Stand Up To Racism said: "It seems the ‘careers’ of individual police officers are more important than the safety and well-being of the communities they are supposed to serve and protect."

Decorated counter-terrorism cop left young child 'crying hysterically' by pouring water over their headDisgraced Northumbria Police officer jailed for misconduct in public office has sentence cut

WhatsApp clip landed ex-Northumbria Police worker in court - and without a job 

Corrupt cop is facing jail for failing to report crime to obtain drugs and sexual services 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.