Eight police officers moved from Rochdale in ‘bullying’ investigation

by Katie Storey

October 27, 2009

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‘WE’RE TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY’: Chief Supt John O’Hare

A PROBE is underway by Greater Manchester Police following allegations of bullying at Rochdale Police Station.

Eight police officers are believed to have been transferred out of Rochdale amid the claims.

The Rochdale Observer understands that three sergeants and five police constables have been moved from duties at Rochdale police station following the allegations.

The officers were dispersed last week after an Asian member of office staff made a formal complaint they had suffered 18 months of harassment while working at the station.

An investigation has now been launched by the Greater Manchester Police Professional Standards Branch.

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare, the police divisional commander in charge of GMP in the Rochdale borough, said: "We take reports of bullying and harassment very seriously and have referred this to the Professional Standards Branch so a full and independent investigation can be conducted."

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MarXPacE, Sheriff Street (27/10/2009 at 13:38)

It is Rochdale; what does one expect?

kenbo, castleton (27/10/2009 at 17:27)

what kind of pathetic comment is that to submit?

CASHSNATCHUK, UK (27/10/2009 at 17:29)

This is just the tip of the iceberg!!!! How much of this sort of behaviour goes unreported and is kept quiet and hushed up by GMP.

Hmmmmmmmmmm

Anglosaxon, Norden (27/10/2009 at 23:20)

Do you honestly think that police officers actually live in this town ?? Doubt that very much.

Harrysmate, Rochdale (28/10/2009 at 14:13)

Just like the recent idiotic and completely over the top decision by the Fire Service to dismiss a highly competent employee, as a result of an e-mail prank, this is another complete over-reaction to a matter that should have been dealt with by using a serious dose of common sense. If the senior officers of either service, are trying to flex their muscles just to prove that they are 'in charge', it is a sad indictment on them all. Every single one of those Police Officers will have been trained over a number of years, to Police the streets of Rochdale, learn about it's criminals, and build up relationships with communities. The public of Rochdale have now been made to suffer as a result. So who will replace the lost officers? Will they be replaced by new recruits with no knowledge of the area? Will it be by officers moved to Rochdale against their will, to reluctantly police our streets?
Just what do these senior officers hope to achieve by their short-sighted and egotistic decisions? It doesn't bode well for the public of this town, if we have to rely on these people to make REAL decisions. Where did our REAL Police bosses go? No wonder John O'Hare looks forlorn in the accompanying picture. He should be.

Cheyenne, Rochdale (28/10/2009 at 16:16)

It is sad in this day and time that we get someone being bullied, by adults. At work, I was taunted sent to Percy Crocketts Cobbler's shop to ask for a glass hammer, ( which Gracie Fields had had made for the Cobbler).

I was told to go to pattern shop for a long Stand, or into the machine shop to get some oil holes,

Then told to go and asked one of the ladies for a bottle of Maids Water. In was part of life.

It seems that now a days that if someone plays a joke on one of their colleagues it is called bullying. If I had complained to my parents about how I was treated by Time Served men. They would have laught at me, with the retorted your turn will come.

Colin the pie, WIGAN (28/10/2009 at 17:59)

Wouldn't it have been easier to remove the complainant to another place pending the outcome of the investigation. It smells of someone playing the racial card to me.

CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (28/10/2009 at 18:15)

Unless you know the facts I don't think it's wise to comment.

fergiza, rse (28/10/2009 at 18:16)

so racist bullies can still be policemen/women can they? any other job would sack them asap.

MarXPacE, Sheriff Street (28/10/2009 at 18:23)

The Chief Supt is a Micheal Crawford look alike, and he's saying : "Mmmmm Betty!" Look at the photo!

Knowsleyman, Paphos (28/10/2009 at 18:26)

Colin

If the complainant had been moved then an even bigger racial card would be played.

Besides as Rochdale has many Asian residents, probably, his language skills will be very valuable!!!!!!!!!!

David, North M/C (28/10/2009 at 19:00)

I don't know the facts of this case but after reading the headlines I knew what the subject would be about.

salfordrat (28/10/2009 at 20:51)

Wouldn't it have been easier to remove the complainant to another place pending the outcome of the investigation. It smells of someone playing the racial card to me.
Colin the pie, WIGAN

Based on the information given in the piece, what makes you think sombody is playing the race card? Or do you mean that anybody who claims of being bullied because of their ethnicity is playing the race card? If it was a woman you would no doubt 'smell' the feminist card. But what if it was a white male? What would that smell of to you? Roses?

MancLadUK, Manchester (28/10/2009 at 21:00)

fergiza, rse,

It's a shame that you aren't familiar with the concept of 'innocent until proven guilty'. To simply brand people as 'racist' and 'bullies' based on an allegation seems to be jumping the gun to say the very least.

I would say that this article shows GMP are taking positive steps and investigating allegations. They appear to have taken steps to ensure any potential bullying can't take place while the allegations are made. There's certainly nothing to state at this time that the allegations are true, so why on earth would firing people at this time be the right thing to do?

I think you should calm down, stop making assumptions and wait for the facts before making yourself look silly on this website....

Big Brother, North West (28/10/2009 at 22:38)

an allegation has been made and it is being followed up in the correct manner if we are to believe what has been disclosed to the tabloids. The allegation is to do with bullying. It does not mention any racial element. The racial element is only brought up by the narrow minded people who think that asian complaint = racial!!!!
That is pathetic. Everyone has a right to an opinion but how about we have all the facts before we make comments.
And in regards to the comment made that they are experienced officers who have been removed. well if someone feels that they have been behaving in such a manner where another fellow colleague has been forced to make a complaint then I am sorry to say but they are not fit to stay in a job where they are expected to be impartial and fair to members of the public if they are unable to treat their own colleagues in a fair and appropriate manner.
I think that a number of organisations will be following this story very closely.

Amounderness Lad, Caithness (29/10/2009 at 04:01)

fergiza, rse, 18:16. Guilty until proven innocent. That's a novel idea for Britain, I wonder where that came from?
There have been allegations made so far and they are, it would appear, being investigated which would indicate that so far the details and accuracy of the complaint are not fully known. Once the facts have been properly established is the time to make judgement as to what action needs taking, if any, and against who.

gillykins, urmston (29/10/2009 at 08:14)

A guy I used to work with tried to do the same thing at my old workplace. He constantly accused a certain man of bullying him and subjecting him to racial abuse. We all worked very closely together and never ever saw anything of the sort. The man he was accusing was actually the same colour as him! Turned out the fella putting all the complaints in, was a serial complainer who sued people/firms at the drop of a hat! I do not condone bullying or harrasment in any way, but actual bullying is not always the case.

MarXPacE, Sheriff Street (29/10/2009 at 08:32)

Michael Crawford, or what? (see photo).

Concerned Mancunian, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 08:33)

fergiza, rse
Another cop hater ranting about something he/she knows nothing about....the officers , who incidentally risk their lives everytime they go to work for the likes of you, will be subjected to an investigation and if any acts of racist bullying are proved they will face the consequences so in the meanwhile try and keep your bitter twisted hatred of the police under wraps......what happened fergiza did you get a parking ticket once ??? Saddo....
ps where do you live....bet its not the UK !!!

BlueBoy1 , Bury (29/10/2009 at 09:21)

I notice in the article that it doesn't state where the 8 officers have been moved to - is there anywhere within the GMP area where they will not have to work alongside asians or other races?

fergiza, rse (29/10/2009 at 09:21)

Concerned Mancunian, i was born and live in m/cr and i am not a police hater,hate is a bit strong,i dislike some of their tactics maybe ,if there is sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation they should at least suspend the officers pending the outcome of any hearing, police officers should be beyond reproach and any sign of this sort of behaviour needs swift and decisive action .the police force in general doesnt have a good image at the moment so stories like this are the last thing they need, concerned mancunia, are you from the uk?

j John (29/10/2009 at 09:55)

MarXPacE,

how dare you!

j John (29/10/2009 at 09:59)

It is indeed a terrible picture, however, he is probably one of the few good ommanders left in GMP and I for one hope he makes it to the Chief Constable level. He would make a GREAT CHIEF!

He has had a brilliant and positive career. Working at Rochdale is a "punishment" he did not deserve but no doubt he will turn it into an excellent division.

Father Time, Elsewhere (29/10/2009 at 10:15)

Fergizsa,
For someone so very concerned about racism, asking if someone was born in the uk is a very strange question to ask. Have you not read the story? EIGHT Police Officers have been taken from Policing the streets of Rochdale, a number well needed, in swift action to investigate this allegation. It's been said already but innocent until proven guilty.

vinay, rochdale (29/10/2009 at 10:18)

rochdale police station in the light again,needs closing down,,,,,,,,,,

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