logo
Met Police officer denies calling black officers ‘cotton pickers'

Met Police officer denies calling black officers ‘cotton pickers'

Yahoo27-01-2025
A Metropolitan Police officer could face dismissal from the force over an allegation that she called black officers 'cotton pickers'.
Pc Mia Korell, who is part of the Roads and Transport policing command, allegedly used the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit, a misconduct hearing was told.
Chloe Hill, a solicitor representing the Metropolitan Police, said the term, which Pc Korell denies using, is 'grossly offensive and derogatory'.
It is alleged Pc Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Inspector Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty in Guildford on October 7 2022.
The pair had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct panel heard.
Giving evidence to the hearing in central London on Monday, Mr Phillips said: 'We were having a pleasant conversation, we were both clearly very interested in race and the police.'
He claims Pc Korell asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he said no.
'The conversation was fairly clear,' Mr Phillips told the panel.
'I don't think there was any misunderstanding.
'I am 100% sure that was the exact phrase used.
'It is a very bizarre phrase to make up, and I have very little to gain from making a story up.'
The hearing was told Mr Phillips emailed Pc Korell's line manager to report her use of the term on October 17 2022.
Asked why he did not report it sooner, Mr Phillips said he drafted an email on the day of the incident but was unable to speak to Pc Korell's line manager until a later date because he was away on holiday.
'I felt it was an unusual phrase that stuck in my mind,' Mr Phillips told the panel.
'It was not something I had seen, and I realised these are my friends she was referring to and it is not a pleasant term or how I'd like them to be referred to.
'It is derogatory and racist.'
Pc Korell, who is doing a PhD called On The Experiences Of Black Police Officers, told the panel she bumped into Mr Phillips after a long day of studying at the University of Surrey.
'I was anxious to get home, I was very uncomfortable,' Pc Korell said.
'I was under investigation at the time, I didn't particularly want to see anyone from work, also I was very pregnant so standing up for a long time is not good.'
Pc Korell had been facing another misconduct hearing at the time.
The officer denied initiating the conversation about racism in the TSG.
'Unfortunately, I have never come across a black officer at the TSG who has said there are no issues with race and it is not racist,' she told the hearing.
Pc Korell denied using the term 'cotton pickers' and said: 'It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular.
'I am aware of its existence but I didn't say it, it strikes me as odd.'
Asked if she would condemn someone who did not report racism, she said: 'If someone has had a horrible experience, when they have been a victim, from personal experience it can take some time to come forward.
'If someone were to condemn me for not coming forward, I think that would be grossly unfair.
'It takes people time when it comes to their own personal experiences.'
If the panel finds the allegation to be true, Pc Korell will be found in breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
The conduct would amount to gross misconduct and could justify her dismissal, the Met Police said.
The hearing continues.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Eddington' actor Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault in U.K.
‘Eddington' actor Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault in U.K.

Los Angeles Times

time11 hours ago

  • Los Angeles Times

‘Eddington' actor Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault in U.K.

British actor Micheal Ward, known for the Netflix series 'Top Boy' and and most recently Ari Aster's movie 'Eddington,' is facing charges of allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a woman in the United Kingdom in 2023. London's Metropolitan Police announced in a Friday statement that prosecutors had charged BAFTA winner Ward, 28, with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault following an investigation into an alleged January 2023 incident. The statement did not provide details about the incident, including the location and the identity of Ward's accuser. 'Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward — we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports,' Det. Supt. Scott Ware said in the statement. Representatives for Ward did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment Friday. The actor is due to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court in London on Aug. 28. Ward, who was born in Jamaica, broke into acting less than a decade ago, appearing in the British drama series 'Top Boy' and rapper Rapman's 2019 film 'Blue Story.' He won BAFTA's rising star award in 2020. That same year he appeared in 'The Old Guard' opposite Charlize Theron and in Steve McQueen's 'Small Axe' miniseries. His movie credits also include Sam Mendes' 'Empire of Light,' 'The Book of Clarence,' 'Bob Marley: One Love' and 'The Beautiful Game.' He currently stars as a young police officer in 'Eddington,' the latest film from 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar' filmmaker Aster.

Michael Ward, 'Top Boy' actor, charged with rape in UK
Michael Ward, 'Top Boy' actor, charged with rape in UK

USA Today

time13 hours ago

  • USA Today

Michael Ward, 'Top Boy' actor, charged with rape in UK

Michael Ward, the BAFTA-winning actor best known for his performance in "Top Boy," has been charged with several counts of sexual assault and rape following an investigation. Ward, 27, a native of the United Kingdom, was charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, a July 25 release from the country's Metropolitan Police confirmed. The assaults are connected to one woman, and allegedly took place in January 2023, authorities say. Ward is scheduled to appear at the Thames Magistrates' Court in the U.K. on Thursday, Aug. 28. USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Ward for comment. "Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward − we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports," Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, whose team is leading the investigation, said in the release. An ex-model who crossed over into acting, Ward first graced the big screen in 2016 with "Brotherhood." His big break came with television roles, however, both in "The A-List" and Netflix's "Top Boy." Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward shine in Sam Mendes' 'Empire of Light' He also scored the leading role in 2019's "Blue Story," a split-screen film that follows two friends whose relationship is challenged by dangerous gang violence. Ward won a BAFTA for his performance. In 2022, he also starred alongside Olivia Colman and Colin Firth in "Empire of Light," a critically acclaimed film that earned both a Golden Globe and Academy Award nod. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: (4673) and and en Español

Top Boy star Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault
Top Boy star Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault

Cosmopolitan

time14 hours ago

  • Cosmopolitan

Top Boy star Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault

Micheal Ward, best known for his starring role as Jamie in Top Boy, has reportedly been charged with rape and sexual assault. According to reports, the Metropolitan Police have said the alleged offence took place in January 2023 and involves one woman. In full, Ward has been charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault (as per the BBC's report) and is set to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court in London on 28 August. The Met's Det Supt Scott Ware said: "Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward - we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports." Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, said: "Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Micheal Ward, 27, with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against a woman in January 2023." She added: "We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. "It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings." Most recently, Ward posted on social media about the film Eddington which he appears in alongside big names including Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix and Austin Butler. He does not appear to have commented on the charges as yet. Cosmopolitan UK has reached out to a representative of Ward. Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC's Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women's Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store