GURPAL VIRDI RECEIVES THE MET'S HIGHEST HONOUR
(11 July 2005)

Gurpal Virdi, the Asian Police Officer who a won a dramatic racism battle against The Metropolitan Police, has been honoured with the Service's highest honour - the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He received his medal on Friday 1st July from Met Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair. Virdi was unfairly dismissed by The Met in 1998 after being wrongfully accused of sending racist hate mail to colleagues. He subsequently won £150,000 in damages from the Met for wrongful dismissal on the grounds of racial discrimination and was reinstated. An inquiry found major failings in the internal investigation carried out by The Metropolitan Police. Mr Virdi's case is considered by many to be a turning point in race relations within the Police Service.

CRE Lawyer Lisa Connerty said at the time of his Tribunal win, " It's welcome news that Mr Virdi is returning to the service and that the Met are welcoming him back. He is just the kind of talented officer they cannot do without. He has fought his case with dignity through months of criminal investigation followed by civil litigation to prove he was the victim of racial discrimination and not the perpetrator of crimes against his colleagues."

Born in Delhi, Gurpal grew up in Southall and Hounslow, Middlesex. His ambition to join the police service started at a very young age following in line with his father who was policeman with the Delhi police prior to settling in England. After leaving full time education, he became a pharmaceutical sales manager and joined the police as a special constable, serving for three years at Heathrow.

He joined the Met on a full time basis in May 1982 as the first Asian policeman from West London. After a spell as a uniformed constable in south London, he became a plain clothes investigator. He was promoted to sergeant in 1992 and transferred to Ealing division.

On Christmas Eve 1997, he was one of thirteen ethnic minority officers to receive a racist poster. The initial investigation concluded that this had been sent out by one of the apparent victims. DS Virdi was arrested for the offence. Criminal charges were dropped, but he was found guilty at a disciplinary hearing and sacked.

With the help of the Hounslow community and local MP, Alan Keen, he fought a very high profile case tackling racism in the police. He took the Met to an employment tribunal, claiming racial discrimination. In 2000 the tribunal found in his favour. He was reinstated and awarded £150,000 in damages. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner at the time, Sir John Stevens, personally gave Mr Virdi a letter of apology at New Scotland Yard. In the letter, Sir John said "the Met now recognises the suffering caused to Mr Virdi, his family and the local Sikh community because of the way his case was handled."

This case led wide ranging changes in Police investigation procedures and recently in the publication of the Morris Inquiry and CRE reports.

DS Virdi, who is married with two children, is currently working in the Specialist Crime Directorate. He has served as a school governor in Hounslow, he helps local charities, brought projects to the borough ( "We Were There" exhibition displayed at the Treaty Centre) and is always willing to assist those in need. He is a role model for many youngsters.

HISTORY OF THE POLICE LONG SERVICE MEDAL

The Police Long Service and Good Conduct medal was instituted as a result of the work of police officers during the bombings of the Second World War. King George VI was anxious that their devotion to duty should not pass with recognition.

Originally styled "The King's Long Service and Good Conduct Medal", it was introduced by Royal Warrant in 1951 under the more familiar title "The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal", to demonstrate the Monarch's wish to honour those who rendered long and meritorious service as members of the Police Forces of the United Kingdom.

On the obverse of the medal is the crowned effigy of the Sovereign and on the reverse the inscription 'For Exemplary Police Service' with a design showing the figure of the Justice holding, with outstretched hand, an emblem of laurel, thus honouring the forces of law and order.

To qualify for the medal officers must have served 22 years, their character and conduct must have been very good, and they must have been put forward by the Commissioner.

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