Cop's racist abuse probe

Published Date: 15 May 2009
AN OFF-DUTY police officer has been suspended from duties after a Sheffield taxi driver claimed he hurled racial abuse at him when he refused to take him home.
PC Paul Dawson, who strongly denies the allegation, has been reported to his bosses by 29-year-old cabbie Abdul Rafiq.

Mr Rafiq claims an argument started outside a Sheffield club when he asked the passenger to pay his £30 fare up front to be driven 20 miles to Worksop.

An investigation is now looking into claims racist insults were used during the exchange.

Later, the taxi driver found a mobile phone had been left in his cab, which he identified as belonging to PC Dawson after finding a picture of him in his uniform stored on the handset.

He handed the phone to police when he made a formal complaint about the incident outside Crystal Bar, on Carver Street, in Sheffield city centre.

It has now been examined by South Yorkshire Police as part of their inquiries and they are understood to be studying a voicemail message sent after Mr Rafiq found the phone.

The constable has been questioned by the force and denies the allegations of racism.

PC Dawson's Police Federation representative Detective Sergeant Neil Vaughan said: "Paul Dawson has met with South Yorkshire Police's professional standards department and has vehemently denied all allegations made by Mr Rafiq."

Mr Rafiq, of Ecclesall, said: "The police have taken this seriously - the professional standards department has treated me really well.

"All I wanted was to protect myself - Worksop is a long way to go and not to get paid."

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "An official complaint has been made to South Yorkshire Police, and has been recorded by professional standards.

"South Yorkshire Police take such allegations very seriously and a full investigation is underway. The officer concerned has been suspended while that investigation continues."


http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Cop39s-racist-abuse-probe.5271086.jp