A police misconduct tribunal has heard disturbing claims about officers at a Derbyshire police station playing a game of “snog, marry, avoid” using photos of suspects and sex workers.
Derbyshire police panel slams ‘crass and inappropriate’ conduct during station game
The game – widely described as crude and disrespectful – unfolded at Pear Tree police station in Derby. It involved a female constable reportedly showing images of women, including Black, Asian and white sex workers, and prompting her Asian colleague to rank them based on attraction.
The tribunal found the conduct was “crass and inappropriate”, making it a matter of serious police misconduct. The term “police misconduct tribunal” has since become central to public and internal scrutiny of the force’s handling of the matter.
Former Officer Claimed Racial and Religious Harassment
The complaint was brought forward by Shafarat Mohammed, a former constable of Pakistani heritage, who resigned just 10 months into the job. Mr Mohammed claimed he was subject to racial and religious harassment during his time in the force.
Among the incidents he raised was the so-called “snog, marry, avoid” game. He alleged that in May or June 2023, PC Kate Northridge asked him to look at images of “Black female suspects” and comment on their appearance. He described the encounter as racially motivated and embarrassing.
But tribunal members rejected his accusations of religious discrimination, concluding his claims were exaggerated and inconsistent. His written evidence was described as “quite vague”, and he was found to have backtracked on several key allegations during cross-examination.
“We found that the claimant rowed back on several of the strong assertions that he made in his witness statement when under cross-examination,” the panel noted.
The police misconduct tribunal stated that while the conduct of the officers was inappropriate, there was no credible evidence that the interaction was racially targeted.
“We find that the claimant’s inconsistency on the colour of the sex workers whose pictures he was shown undermines his credibility,” the judgement read.
The panel acknowledged the possibility that the incident could be classed as harassment of a sexual nature, though no such claim was officially made.
“Snog, Marry, Avoid” Game Undermines Professionalism
The use of a game like “snog, marry, avoid” in a professional policing environment raised significant questions about workplace culture and respect within Derbyshire Police.
Though the tribunal did not find racial bias in this instance, it still condemned the game itself and those who participated.
“The ‘game’ was crass and inappropriate. It casts no one who participated in it in a good light,” the panel concluded.
Mr Mohammed also alleged verbal abuse from another officer, PC Abigail Lynam, who reportedly said: “Shaf, you’re s**.”*
However, evidence from other police staff suggested that PC Lynam’s tone was equally blunt with many colleagues, regardless of ethnicity or background.
Further claims that Mr Mohammed had been excluded from social events and sandwich runs were also dismissed after inconsistencies in his statements were highlighted.
“There was an element of truth in the allegation that quickly evaporated under cross-examination,” said the tribunal panel, noting the more credible testimony came from the police force’s witnesses.
Key Takeaways from the Police Misconduct Tribunal
- Police misconduct tribunal found no evidence of racial or religious discrimination.
- Former officer’s allegations lacked consistency and credibility.
- Tribunal condemned the use of sex worker images in a ranking game as deeply inappropriate.
- No disciplinary action announced, but concerns remain over station culture.
The case adds to ongoing national concerns about police professionalism, especially in stations serving diverse communities. Although this tribunal didn’t result in formal disciplinary action, it once again puts a spotlight on the need for stronger internal standards across UK police forces.
