The Cleveland Police force is to defend itself against a race discrimination claim being launched by one of its former officers.
Jason Singh, who was a sergeant with the force is seeking damages for race victimisation as well as disability discrimination and told a preliminary tribunal hearing that he had been “victimised, harassed and belittled” because of his race.
Mr Singh told the hearing that he passed his sergeant exams in 2006 but that he had failed to advance his career while others of a similar rank has progressed within the force. He said that he was repeatedly passed over for promotion and that this was due to his Asian background. He also says that the force discriminated against him when he was on five months sick leave for clinical depression and a sleep disorder.
The preliminary hearing heard that Mr Singh had been given duties which “set him up for a fall” because of his sleep disorder but the force disputed the claims and alleged that Mr Singh, who took ill-health retirement in June, was an under-performing officer. There will be a full tribunal hearing later in the year.