By Emily Caulkett-
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating allegations a student officer at West Yorkshire Police (WYP) was subjected to discrimination and bullying at work prior to his death.
PC Abraham’s parents said he was “let down” and “discriminated” against by the very force he was working for, his family said. The family of the former Leeds student said he tragically took his own life after experiencing “bullying and institutional racism” while on placement with West Yorkshire Police. He also received no support from Leeds trinity University where he was studying, his family said.
The timing of the news is terrible, barely a week after Baroness Cassey’s report that institutional racism is widespread in the Met Police force. This latest news suggests confining racism to the Met police excludes other forces in the Uk where the problem may be just as rife.
Anugrah Abraham,(pictured) who was training to be a police officer with West Yorkshire Police, was “stressed”, “under pressure” and “didn’t receive any support”, despite raising issues with his managers, his family allege.
The 21-year-old went missing on Friday 3 March and was found the next day in woodlands near his home in Greater Manchester.
The IOPC said it received a referral from the force on March 9 of a complaint which alleged bullying was a factor in the death of PC Anugrah Abraham, known as ‘Anu’, who was found in the Radcliffe area of Bury on March 4.
It added: “On March 14, we decided a local investigation was required and directed WYP to investigate the complaint.
“This was in line with our view that, normally, investigations relating to how forces treat and support the welfare and wellbeing of their employees should be investigated by the relevant professional standards department.
“The complainant was informed they would have the right to have the IOPC review the force’s handling of the matter on conclusion of that investigation should they be unsatisfied with the outcome.
“However, in light of requests for us to reconsider our decision, including from both PC Abraham’s family and the chief constable of WYP, we have now determined that the matter will be independently investigated.”
IOPC Regional Director Emily Barry said it was in the public interest to independently investigate these “serious allegations”.
“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Anu, as well as all those affected by his death,” she added.
“Having carefully considered representations made to us on this matter, we have determined it is now in the public interest for us to independently investigate these serious allegations.
“We have contacted Anu’s family, and WYP, to make them aware of our decision.”
The IOPC said it also received a mandatory referral from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) due to the fact PC Abraham had been reported missing to the force on March 3.
Following a detailed assessment of the available information, the IOPC identified evidence of “positive action” taken by the force to locate him after it was made aware he was missing.
It added: “In light of this, and in the absence of any concern that action by anyone serving with GMP may have caused or contributed to his death, we determined independent oversight or investigation by the IOPC was not required and on March 9 returned the matter to GMP to deal with in a proportionate manner.”
Anu’s family have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the costs for his funeral, and any campaigning going forward.
Leeds Trinity University has been contacted for comment
Image: (Family/Go Fund Me)