Police lose claim for compensation brought by detective

Karen Beasley, of Milverton, Leamington, who described herself as “someone with deafness who wears hearing aids,” made her successful compensation claim at Birmingham Employment Tribunal.

But the tribunal decided Mrs Beasley, who still serves with the force, was not harassed, as she alleged.

The tribunal heard evidence on her behalf from Mrs Beasley’s husband, who is an acting detective inspector with the force.

Mrs Beasley told the tribunal that the discrimination involved being refused permission to take the advanced driving test in 2011, originally not being included on the list of officers taking an aptitude test and assigned a low priority for an interview course.

She also complained that she was not reassigned night detective duties until November 2009 and that she was not provided with proper training or given the opportunity to gain formal accreditation.

She further complained that she was allocated mundane work and that an email sent by another officer questioned her abilities.

Warwickshire Police opposed the compensation claim for disability discrimination and said she was not harassed.

Mrs Beasley was said to be based with the serious organised crime team after joining the force in 1986 and she became a detective constable in 1994.

The tribunal was told that her colleagues had the highest regard for Mrs Beasley and “significant respect” for her abilities as a detective.

One police report suggested she should be permanently restricted to a non-operational role and could continue with her full duties as fraud and rape investigator and family liaison officer for serious incidents.

Another report voiced concerns over potential problems involving surveillance, saying: “If any radio traffic is missed and not recorded, the consequences could be severe, such as failed prosecutions.” Compensation will be decided at a later date.