Neil Wilby Media

Following an accelerated misconduct hearing held at Greater Manchester Police Headquarters on 19th February, 2024, Chief Constable Stephen Watson, sitting as Chair of the Panel, made the decision to dismiss Police Constable Radoslaw Mikulski from the service with immediate effect.

PC Mikulski admitted breaching Standards of Professional Behaviour, including authority, respect, courtesy, and equality and diversity.

During the hearing, PC Mikulski accepted the allegations against him, which included the repeated use of racially derogatory language. Despite his apology, and submissions from his representative, dismissal without notice was deemed the appropriate disciplinary action.

Chief Constable Watson, in his written decision, considered the seriousness of the misconduct, noting PC Mikulski’s use of racially charged language, deliberate actions, and the potential harm to public trust in his police force.

He emphasised the core purpose of the proceedings was to sustain public confidence in the wider police service and concluded that PC Mikulski’s conduct fell far below the expected standards.

“1 have assessed the seriousness of the conduct. It is a matter of accepted fact that PC Mikulski, in de-briefing an operational incident with his then tutor constable, described a member of the public as a ‘paki bastard’.

“I am persuaded that on an earlier occasion where the officer used a similarly derogatory term, albeit on this occasion not maliciously, that he was advised by PC Ross [his tutor] as to the unacceptability of such language.

“This seems to be an important point in emphasising some evidence of a learned awareness as to the fact that this type of language was highly offensive and likely to unsettle public confidence.
1consider that PC Mikulski’s culpability must be regarded as high. He has accepted that he used a racially derogatory descriptor.

“The evidence suggests that when challenged, PC Mikulski’s immediate response and actions provide reasonable grounds to demonstrate that he knew that his conduct was contrary to the code of ethics and the clearly expressed values of GMP.

“With regard to the aggravating factors set out in the College of Policing’s Guidance, I have already pointed to the fact that the misconduct was deliberate and unforced. By definition, the breach clearly implies a significant deviation from that properly expected of a well conducted officer.

“As the College Guidance makes clear, incidents of racially charged language will always be considered to constitute an aggravating factor.”

The breaches were deemed to be gross misconduct.

As a result, PC Mikulski’s name will be added to the College of Policing’s Barred List, effectively ending his career in law enforcement.

The dismissal without notice of PC Mikulski, says CC Watson, underscores Greater Manchester Police’s commitment to upholding professional standards and ensuring public trust in the integrity of its officers.

The published misconduct outcome gave no indication as to which district or unit to which PCMikulski was attached, when the racist incidents took place or the length of delay in bringing disciplinary proceedings to a conclusion.

This class opacity, contrary to the claimed standards of CC Watson and GMP, continue to undermine the public’s (and the media’s) trust in the police.

Page last updated: Friday 1st March, 2024 at 1025 hours

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