A police officer from the Metropolitan force has received a final warning following a misconduct panel’s determination that she used the phrase “cotton pickers” when referring to her black colleagues.
The panel concluded that PC Mia Korell engaged in gross misconduct by uttering the offensive term during a conversation with another officer while they were both off duty.
PC Korell, who identifies as black, denied using the derogatory comment in her discussion with Insp Alistair Phillips during their time off in Guildford on October 7, 2022, asserting that such language does not reflect her usual way of speaking.
On Tuesday, the misconduct panel found that she had indeed used the “derogatory, disrespectful, and racist” expression, resulting in a final written warning that will remain on her record for five years.
Cdr Jason Prins, who chaired the misconduct panel, expressed confidence that the expression was meant as a slight towards black officers, emphasizing its inherently racist connotation.
He noted that the panel deemed Insp Phillips to have no reason to fabricate the claim, as doing so would adversely affect his own professional reputation.
Cdr Prins added that the context of the conversation supported Mr. Phillips’s certainty that the term “cotton pickers” was spoken. He remarked that while PC Korell’s choice of words was “out of character,” the panel did not view her as “inherently racist.”
The discussion between Insp Phillips and PC Korell revolved around whether the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist organization, sparked by a chance encounter near the University of Surrey, where PC Korell is pursuing a PhD focused on the experiences of black police officers.
The TSG is tasked with maintaining public order and responding to disturbances, riots, and serious crimes throughout London.
During the hearing, it was revealed that PC Korell referred to black colleagues who contested the notion of the TSG being a racist unit using the term “cotton pickers.” Insp Phillips reported that she had inquired about his belief regarding the TSG’s perceived racism, to which he responded in the negative.
“The dialogue was quite straightforward,” Insp Phillips conveyed to the panel. “There was no room for misunderstanding. I am entirely certain that was the exact phrase that was used.”
Insp Phillips subsequently notified PC Korell’s supervisor about her language in an email dated October 17, 2022.
The panel concluded that PC Korell had violated the Standards of Professional Behaviour within the police force, specifically concerning discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, as well as equality and diversity.
