Cleveland Police to pay ‘substantial compensation’ to former officer after racial discrimination

An Asian police officer who was subjected to discrimination after he blew the whistle on racism is to receive around £500,000 in compensation.

Mark Dias was an officer with Cleveland Police for nine years and stood up against institutional racism.

He was the force's only Asian officer to be selected for the High Potential Development Scheme and hoped to achieve a high rank.

But when he stood up against racism within the force he was subjected to discrimination and the force used controversial powers, often used to monitor terrorists, to track how he used his telephone.

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal has criticised Cleveland Police for this, and for monitoring journalists' phones.

Since then, Mr Dias and the force have been in discussions about possible High Court action and an Employment Tribunal.

After negotiations, the parties have agreed substantial compensation'' should be paid, believed to be £500,000 and the Chief Constable Iain Spittal has apologised.

A joint statement between the force and Mr Dias said: The Chief Constable recognises the positive contribution Mr Dias made to policing during his time with the force.

He is to be commended for his persistence in standing up for equality and integrity in policing.''

Mr Spittal said in his own statement that the issues Mr Dias raised related up to 2013 and did not reflect how the force operated now.

He said measures have been brought in to support officers from under-represented groups'' to gain promotion.

He said: I am pleased that we have been able to draw to a conclusion these historic matters which will help the Force to move forward positively.''

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger said: I hope the recognition by the force that what happened was wrong, along with the apology and settlement, allows some form of closure for Mr Dias and his family and enables them to move on with their lives.''