- Paul Castledine, who retired from Police Scotland in 2017 after 24 years, said he was targeted by colleagues because of his skin color
- Former officer gave evidence to the Sheku Bayoh inquiry
- Mr Bayoh died after being restrained on the ground by six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3, 2015.
Black police officers were treated differently from their white colleagues and faced discrimination, a former officer told the Sheku Bayoh inquiry.
Paul Castledine, who retired from Police Scotland in 2017 after 24 years, told the inquiry yesterday that he was targeted by colleagues because of his skin colour.
The former officer, who worked for the then Fife Constabulary, said it was ‘not great’ for ethnic minority and female officers when he joined in 1993.
But he said he didn’t report the discrimination he faced because he didn’t want to “make a fuss.”
Mr Bayoh, 31, a father-of-two, died after being held on the ground by six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3, 2015.
The Sheku Bayoh inquiry is investigating the circumstances of his death and whether race was a factor
The investigation is examining the circumstances of his death and whether or not his race was a factor.
Mr Castledine said the abuse he received included a “plot” by colleagues to force him out of his job while he was still on probation, and colleagues failing to respond to his calls for help.
He told the investigation he also faced resentment from fellow officers who believed he was only given certain jobs because of the color of his skin.
The former Royal Marine said complaints against white officers were often dealt with with an informal slap on the wrist, while those against black or ethnic minority officers would typically result in formal ‘due process’ being followed.
In his written submission, which was read out at the inquest, Mr Castledine said: ‘Have I experienced racism within the police force? Yeah, I’m pretty sure I did.’
Mr Castledine, the only black officer at his post, said he was given an unrealistic workload on probation, and one day he found a blank resignation letter in his cubby.
He said his boss took him aside, told him he knew “what was going on” and signed his probation six weeks early to protect him.
Some officers who had tried to oust him were moved without their behavior being addressed, he added.
Mr Castledine compared the police unfavorably to his previous Marine service, saying: ‘I expected everyone to work together.’
It was accepted without question in the army that help would be provided to anyone in trouble, he said, adding: “And the police were a different job.”
However, he said the situation had since improved and while former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s comments last year about institutional racism in the force in the 1990s were ‘probably true’, there were no ‘serious problems’ now.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: ‘It is vital that the role and independence of the public inquiry is respected to ensure a fair trial and justice.’
The investigation continues.
