Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Trainee officer sacked over concerns about his hearing ability wins discrimination claim against Met Police

Shafi Karim was dismissed as his bosses felt he was ‘not capable of becoming a fully operational and effective police officer’ and his poor hearing could endanger himself and other officers.

Trainee officer sacked over concerns about his hearing ability wins discrimination claim against Met Police

A trainee officer sacked from the Met Police has won a discrimination claim against the force.

Shafi Karim worked as a probationary officer for five before he was dismissed in 2021 after his bosses raised concerns about his hearing abilities.

He was advised to use a Rogers Pen wireless microphone as he could not hear instructions but was made to pay about 30 per cent of the cost of the device and the insurance on it.

However, an employment tribunal in central London found that Scotland Yard should not have required Karim to pay his cost of the device and there was no justification for making him insure it.

Karim joined the Met Police as a probationary officer in 2015 having passed the initial hearing test. A year later, however, his training was paused as he struggled with 'hearing’ and he was referred to the occupational health department of the police force. But he was later posted to Finsbury Park before he became part of an emergency response team.

He complained of receiving 'feedback' if objects came too close to his hearing aids which he said turned police sirens into “torture”.

His dependence on the device also sometimes led him to awkward situations. Once its battery ran out during a police chase test and he had to stop to change it. On another occasion, messages had to be repeated for him. His colleagues also noticed he did not always hear when he was spoken to.

Karim was also told to complete role-play tests to prove his ability to work at an operational level, the tribunal heard.

His period of probation lasted much longer than the usual two years. He was finally dismissed after his bosses felt he was “not capable of becoming a fully operational and effective police officer” and his poor hearing could endanger himself and other officers.

The employment tribunal concluded Karim had been subjected to disability discrimination because of his dismissal.

Referring to the test he failed, employment tribunal judge Jillian Brown said there were less discriminatory ways of achieving “those legitimate aims”, including making reasonable adjustments.

The judge said the trainee officer was put at a substantial disadvantage.

Brown said the police force “should never have required” Karim to pay part of the cost of the hearing aid kit.

Observing that it was the Met was “completely unjustified” for requiring him to insure the hearing aids, the judge said Scotland Yard should have insured the device “in the same way as all other equipment.”

But the tribunal dismissed his other contention that the Met made a 'stereotypical assumption' that his hearing impairment 'rendered him incapable' of doing his job.

It will decide on the compensation at a later date.

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less