Trainee police officer faced bullying and racism at work before death, father tells inquest

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Louise Thomas

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A trainee officer faced bullying and racism by police before his death, his father told an inquest.

Anugrah Abraham, 21, from Bury, Greater Manchester, feared he would lose his job and suffered nightmares of his station sergeant sitting on his chest strangling him, Rochdale Coroners Court heard, amid a “bullying and racism culture”.

The claims, made by his father Amar Abraham at the hearing, were not accepted by West Yorkshire Police (WYP), the force’s lawyer said.

He was struggling under the pressure of working as a trainee officer and also doing university work as part of a degree apprenticeship with WYP, the court heard.

But his father claimed he was also being bullied and suffered racism.

He said his son was born in Delhi, the youngest of three with two older sisters, and the family came to live in the UK in 2003.

Mr Abraham said his son applied to join the police in October 2021 but problems started after April 2022 when he was posted to Halifax police station.

Wiping away tears, Mr Abraham said: “He mentioned there is bullying and racism culture there, ‘My sergeant used to bully me a lot, even if I do correct’. He was completely lost, really.

“We loved him so much. The last days before he took his own life he mentioned, ‘I can’t take it, so much pressure on me. There’s no support from anywhere’.”

Senior coroner for Manchester North Joanne Kearsley asked Mr Abraham: “Do you think Anu understood how difficult it might be working and doing a degree at the same time?”

Mr Abraham said that “initially” his son was confident but admitted he was “fearful” of his son joining the force, adding: “It’s a very challenging job.”

His father added: “He always said nobody came to me and said: ‘Well done boy.’ He was always criticised.”

He said his son told him he was put me on “another management plan” to sack him.

“He was under a lot of pressure and fearful,” Mr Abraham added.

Ms Kearsley said records showed officers had on occasion told the young recruit he had done a good job.

And GP records showed Mr Abraham visited his doctor in June 2022 suffering low moods, stress and anxiety but did not identify any “triggers” for his feelings.

Shortly before his death, the trainee officer was given two weeks study leave and went with friends to Amsterdam while he was off.

Before he went, his sergeant told him he needed a further development and management plan.

By March 2023 he had been unhappy for six months since being posted to Halifax, the inquest heard, and he told his father he was suffering nightmares.

Mr Abraham said: “He felt that his sergeant was the weight sitting on his chest trying to strangle him. I think he was so scared. I don’t know what was going on in the police station.”

He advised his son to find another job before leaving the force, and on 3 March last year, one day before he was due back in work, he spent time applying for jobs - and then left the family home.

He was found dead in woodland nearby the next day.

Hugh Davies, representing WYP, listed the support the young officer had received, including from his sergeant and colleagues, and said the reason he was on a development plan was to support him.

He also had an assessor and a mentor and was referred to occupational health, as well as a counsellor.

Mr Davies said while in the force his dyslexia was spotted for the first time and he received help with that.

Mr Davies said: “Some of his friends in the police thought they got the impression the family would be disappointed if he did not finish his degree?”

“No,” replied Mr Abraham.

The inquest, scheduled to last three weeks, continues.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.