PC brother of siblings who battled officers at Manchester Airport sacked for comparing black female colleague's braided hair to a 'mop'

The policeman brother of the siblings caught on camera battling officers at Manchester Airport has been sacked for a 'racist' comment comparing a black female colleague's braided hair to a mop.PC Mohammed Abid, 29, is one of six serving officers based at Bury police station who were today dismissed for mocking the policewoman's appearance or how she spoke.A further two former constables would have faced dismissal had they not quit, a misconduct panel ruled, while a sergeant was given a written warning.The sackings came after the policewoman, originally from Africa, came forward to complain about fellow officers 'mimicking' her accent, leaving her feeling 'uncomfortable'. In July 2024, there was widespread outrage when Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, then 19, was seen being kicked in the face by a police officer in mobile phone footage which went viral.However, CCTV footage later revealed that he and another brother, Muhammad Amaad, had violently resisted efforts to arrest Amaaz for headbutting of a tourist at Manchester Airport.After a case which sparked accusations of police racism and claims of two-tier justice, Amaaz was jailed for assaulting two female officers.But two juries failed to reach verdicts on whether he or Amaad had assaulted a male colleague. PC Mohammed Abid and other constables used discriminatory language or behaviour towards black colleague PC Y at Bury police station (pictured) in Greater Manchester Muhammad Amaad, 26, (left) and his brother Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, (right) arriving for their trial at Liverpool Crown Court either side of their solicitor, Aamer AnwarLawyers for the men repeatedly highlighted how neither brother – both from Rochdale – had been in trouble with the police before, and six members of the family are current or former officers with Greater Manchester Police.Both trials heard a glowing character reference from PC Abid, who praised Amaaz's 'respectful, gentle and soft-spoken nature' and 'dedication to academic roles'.But jurors were not told that he faced disciplinary proceedings over the racism allegation.A misconduct hearing heard last month how constables based at Bury police station imitated a female colleague's accent until she made a formal complaint in November 2023.The policewoman, originally from Africa, has been granted anonymity and is referred to as PC Y.PC Abid was said to have spoken to PC Y – who at the time wore her hair in braids – then described it as 'looking like a mop' before 'smiling and walking away'.He denied making the slur, but on Tuesday a misconduct panel rejected his account, saying it had been a 'racist comment' as the braided style was 'culturally significant' to PC Y as a black woman.PC Abid's actions were found to have constituted gross misconduct, as were those of five serving and two former constables accused of mimicking PC Y's accent.Giving evidence, they all insisted they had only copied how she said 'ok' and that this was part of a 'shared joke' in which they all made fun of one another's accents.But the panel rejected their denials, pointing out that officers who weren't part of the same team had mentioned hearing them putting on African accents.The hearing resumed today to consider the officers' fate, with panel chairman Jonathan Roy saying their misconduct was 'serious' as it damaged public trust in the police.PC Abid's 'mop' slur was 'targeted, deliberate and offensive,' Mr Roy said, and he 'should have been aware' that it was 'likely to cause offence'.PC Y later said she felt 'bullied' by PC Abid, the hearing was told, adding that 'the mop comment stands out to me' because 'it feels like him insulting me'.Although PC Abid was not involved in mimicking PC Y, his misconduct was so serious that dismissal without notice was the only justifiable outcome, Mr Roy said.Five serving officers, PCs Heena Rani, Lucy Granby, Demi Green, Matthew Barlow and Matthew Hill, were all also dismissed for failing to report the mimicking and instead joining in.Former PC Jake Holt, and a former officer referred to only as A, who were both also part of the abuse, would also have faced disciplinary action had they still been serving officers, the panel ruled.A further officer, Sergeant Adrian Bick, who supervised the team, was cleared of breaching standards on equality and diversity.Out of PC Y's earshot, he had pointed out a photograph of a black fraud suspect and said she could be her mother.The panel said the comment was 'thoughtless and insensitive' but accepted that Sergeant Bick hadn't intended to make a racist comment.It ruled that his case amounted to misconduct and he will now receive a written warning.Afterwards Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: 'No officer or member of staff should have to come to work and experience discriminatory behaviour from the people they serve alongside. 'Everyone has the right to feel respected, valued and part of the same team with a shared commitment to serving our communities and keeping people safe.'I would like to acknowledge the courage of the officer who came forward and reported these concerns. 'It is important that people have the confidence to speak up, knowing they will be listened to and supported.'He insisted the force was committed to being one 'that our diverse communities can identify with and be proud of'. All the sacked officers will be added to the College of Policing barred list.