UK: Muslim cop tries corruption:  Loses

A special constable has been sacked for attempting to avoid a £100 motoring fine by flashing his warrant card at a traffic officer. Raja Iqbal, 36, who was pulled over in Birmingham last April for driving his Mercedes without an MOT, showed the officer his police identification and when told he would be fined said: 'Come on mate, can't we do anything?'

The former special constable has been sacked by West Midlands Police, after he admitted one breach of discreditable conduct, but denied a breach of honesty and integrity, at a misconduct hearing.

The panel ruled that the officer, a volunteer with the force for eight years, was guilty of gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice.

Nicholas Wilcox, representing West Midlands Police at the panel, said that Mr Iqbal was followed from Erdington, Birmingham, on the afternoon of April 20 after he was seen to be fiddling with his seatbelt.  The officer conducted a police national computer check on the vehicle, which showed that its MOT certificate had expired four months earlier.

Mr Iqbal was pulled over in the Aston area of the city and he produced his warrant card after being asked to join the officer in the back of his police vehicle.

He also made a comment that his 'gaffer would not be very pleased with him' and, when asked about the MOT, said 'I'll get it booked today. You know I work the beat, yeah.'

Mr Iqbal was officially cautioned in the back of the vehicle for driving without an MOT test certificate and was told that he would be fined £100, to which he responded: 'Come on mate, can't we do anything?'

The panel was told that the special constable did not report the caution to his superiors.

Mr Wilcox said that in interview with the force's professional standards department, Mr Iqbal said he had made the 'come on mate' comment without thinking and had not intended to influence the officer.

Mr Iqbal said he had produced the warrant card to the police officer to 'reassure him that he was dealing with a law-abiding member of the public.'

The former police volunteer had not completed a shift for the force since December 2014 and had tendered his resignation before the incident had taken place, citing personal circumstances.

In mitigation for the officer, who did not attend the hearing, Police Federation representative John Tooms said: 'He admits a breach in relation to discreditable conduct, but denies a breach of honesty and integrity. 'He maintains that his actions amount to misconduct but does not accept they amount to gross misconduct. 'He accepts that he placed the officer in a difficult position, but it was not his intention to do so.

'The vehicle was taken to a car garage on the same day that he was stopped, an MOT was obtained and the fine was paid in full.'

Chairman of the panel Collin Phillips said the officer would be dismissed without notice and added the public expected police officers and staff to act with integrity and honesty while on and off duty.

Original report here


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