Cumbria Police officer faced disability discrimination

An employment tribunal heard that former Deputy Chief Constable Mark Webster denied PC Lauren Crawford from attending firearms training because of her dyslexia and autism. The tribunal heard that the decision not to allow the officer to attend an Initial Firearms Course was ‘direct disability discrimination’. The tribunal heard she had worked as a PC without reasonable adjustments for several years before she applied to become a firearms officer amid ‘overwhelmingly positive’ reports from her superiors.

Her GP also said there was no reason why she could not complete the course, the tribunal heard. But the DCC, a former strategic firearms lead for the National Crime Agency who is now the chief constable of Cleveland Police, chose not to allow her on the course. The employment judge said he did not have a copy of her application to become a firearms officer before he made the decision.

Judge Katherine Ross ruled there was ‘no non-discriminatory explanation’ for not allowing her to complete the training. She ruled PC Crawford was treated unfavourably because of her disability. The judge said: “At the outset of this case, a casual observer may have thought at a cursory glance at the bare bones of this claim without considering all the information and the detailed evidence from the parties, that based on stereotypical assumptions, an officer with a diagnosis of autism was not suitable to attend a firearms course.

“Our task was to find the facts, consider the evidence and apply the law to the facts. “We have done so and find in these specific circumstances, for the reasons given above, that is not the case and the claimant’s claims for disability discrimination as identified in the Judgment succeed.” The tribunal is due to rule on what remedy PC Crawford, who is still employed by Cumbria Police, should receive in the claim.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: “The constabulary is committed to being an equal opportunity employer which is against all forms of discrimination.

As such, the constabulary will reflect on the findings of the tribunal and consider any measures which it would be appropriate to introduce in light of the judgement.”