bobbydiva
06-08-2009, 10:59 AM
BBC
Surrey Police had a culture of bullying and victimisation a former officer has told an employment tribunal.
Bernard Cambi, 63, who resigned from the force in 2007, said many colleagues were "bullied into submission" while they were with the force.
The former detective constable made the claims at the tribunal of former officer Alison Wheeler, who is seeking compensation for unfair dismissal.
Giles Powell, acting for Surrey Police, accused him of lying to protect her.
'Unnecessary risk'
Ms Wheeler, 39, of West Molesey, was sacked for cowardice for allegedly failing to help a colleague in December 2007.
Mr Cambi, who said he had submitted his own grievances during his employment, told the tribunal in Croydon his colleagues were made to feel fearful and uneasy by their superiors.
He said: "There have been instances of bullying of staff at Epsom, made worse by the expectation that colleagues would inform on each other, which caused a very uneasy and fearful atmosphere in the offices."
Mr Cambi said his experience with the force had not been a wholly pleasant one and claimed team leaders did not know how to treat staff.
"There is not one team leader who, in my opinion, merits promotion, but all desperately require training in the field of how to run a team," he added.
'Dishonesty and incompetence'
He said Miss Wheeler was reprimanded "unnecessarily" by others within the force, supporting her claims of unfair dismissal.
Mr Cambi resigned from the force in December 2007 before going on to work with the Metropolitan Police.
Ms Wheeler previously told the tribunal her dismissal from Surrey Police force was "sexist and ageist".
Officers allege the former opera singer failed to use her CS spray or support Pc Rory Channon during a struggle outside a police station in Walton.
Ms Wheeler said she did intervene and is seeking £350,000 in compensation.
The tribunal heard that a month before she was due to complete her two-year probationary period she was sacked for reasons of cowardice, dishonesty and incompetence.
The tribunal continues.
Just another example of the shambles that is law enforcement.
Surrey Police had a culture of bullying and victimisation a former officer has told an employment tribunal.
Bernard Cambi, 63, who resigned from the force in 2007, said many colleagues were "bullied into submission" while they were with the force.
The former detective constable made the claims at the tribunal of former officer Alison Wheeler, who is seeking compensation for unfair dismissal.
Giles Powell, acting for Surrey Police, accused him of lying to protect her.
'Unnecessary risk'
Ms Wheeler, 39, of West Molesey, was sacked for cowardice for allegedly failing to help a colleague in December 2007.
Mr Cambi, who said he had submitted his own grievances during his employment, told the tribunal in Croydon his colleagues were made to feel fearful and uneasy by their superiors.
He said: "There have been instances of bullying of staff at Epsom, made worse by the expectation that colleagues would inform on each other, which caused a very uneasy and fearful atmosphere in the offices."
Mr Cambi said his experience with the force had not been a wholly pleasant one and claimed team leaders did not know how to treat staff.
"There is not one team leader who, in my opinion, merits promotion, but all desperately require training in the field of how to run a team," he added.
'Dishonesty and incompetence'
He said Miss Wheeler was reprimanded "unnecessarily" by others within the force, supporting her claims of unfair dismissal.
Mr Cambi resigned from the force in December 2007 before going on to work with the Metropolitan Police.
Ms Wheeler previously told the tribunal her dismissal from Surrey Police force was "sexist and ageist".
Officers allege the former opera singer failed to use her CS spray or support Pc Rory Channon during a struggle outside a police station in Walton.
Ms Wheeler said she did intervene and is seeking £350,000 in compensation.
The tribunal heard that a month before she was due to complete her two-year probationary period she was sacked for reasons of cowardice, dishonesty and incompetence.
The tribunal continues.
Just another example of the shambles that is law enforcement.