News In Focus
8 August 2006
£15,000 for constable in landmark case
A Tayside police constable has won £15,000 in compensation from the police force in a landmark legal case after being blocked for promotion when he challenged the force's style of policing.
Douglas Fisher, 32, had raised health and safety concerns about officers patrolling certain areas alone. The solo patrols were introduced to the Hilltown area of Dundee. Mr Fisher and his colleagues were worried about safety, corroboration of evidence and being the victims of false and malicious allegations as a result.
Mr Fisher claimed that he was told that he could be dismissed for inciting disaffection with his colleagues, and that he had received a letter from a chief inspector warning him about his conduct.
He took Chief Constable John Vine of Tayside Police to an employment tribunal. The tribunal ruled that Mr Fisher had brought the safety issue to the attention of his employers in a reasonable way. He had prepared a motion opposing plans for solo patrols and this had been signed by about 70 other officers and backed by Roseanna Cunningham, the MSP for Perth.
The officer also claimed that Inspector Graham Donald had failed to follow police procedures properly when dealing with his promotion application. Inspector Donald had not contacted his line managers to obtain information on his suitability for promotion to sergeant.
The tribunal's written judgment stated that Constable Fisher's complaint relating to his promotion was not investigated properly and that the letter he received was offensive and threatened his job.
Mr Fisher said that his only intention had been to safeguard the safety of Tayside police officers.
Deputy Chief Constable Willie Bald of Tayside police said the force was disappointed at the outcome, but would consider the points covered in the written statement to see what could be learned. He added that nothing in the judgment would affect the style of policing in Tayside.