REPS SPOTLIGHT


had discriminated against Tariq by not upholding this adjustment. What should have happened, he


argued, is simple: “The advice and actions of the original detective sergeant should have been left in place. The Met would have had a dedicated and hardworking officer producing work, and Tariq would have continued to feel valued by the organisation he joined and loved.” Instead, the case highlights a broader cultural issue within policing. “In the Met, the phrase ‘sick, lame, or lazy’ has been bandied about throughout my career,” PS Brewster reflected, pointing to a victim- blaming mentality that marginalises officers dealing with genuine health issues. “Culture within policing, regarding


the sometimes-harsh realities faced by those within the force who are dealing with long-term health conditions. DC Ahmed, who joined the Met in 2002, had enjoyed a successful career in the detective branch. However, a serious heart condition required urgent surgery in 2008, forever changing his life. Despite this, Tariq remained committed


to his role. “He remains a dedicated officer and soldiered on since the first instance of it changing his life,” said PS Brewster, who has supported Tariq over the years, including through a recent employment tribunal against the Met. Fast forward to the


COVID-19 pandemic, when Tariq, like many


others with underlying health conditions, had to work from home due to the life- threatening risks the virus posed to him. At first, the Met adjusted. “His line manager at the time provided him with reasonable adjustments to remain working from home, with periodical reviews,” PS Brewster recalled. These adjustments were in line with the Equality Act 2010 and backed by medical advice. But once the pandemic restrictions


eased, the problems began. “In a cruel twist, his second and third-line management overturned his sergeant’s decision, demanding he attend the workplace for a minimum of two days a week,” he added.


28 | POLICE | OCTOBER | 2024


from home constituted a reasonable adjustment. “We provided documents and guidance to encourage a supportive approach. Sadly, this failed.” The strain of the situation took its toll on


Tariq’s health, and he was eventually forced to report sick, due to a combination of his failing health because of the stress caused by work and his underlying conditions being aggravated by that stress. The subsequent employment tribunal


resulted in a landmark ruling that could have wide-reaching implications. “Even for police officers, working from home, reviewable every six months, is a reasonable adjustment,” PS Brewster explained. The tribunal found the Met


They cited Met policy, which prohibited permanent working from home, yet ignored the requirements of the Equality Act and the reasonable adjustments advised by doctors and occupational health. “We fought hard against their decisions,” PS Brewster shared, detailing how he and Tariq, with the support of the Police Federation, made numerous attempts to explain that working


disability, needs to radically change,” he insisted. “The idea that allowing an officer to work from home is unfair to others in the force has done incalculable damage to individuals like Tariq. It has prolonged his recovery and his ability to return to work, and from home as determined in the judgement.” Ultimately, PS Brewster believes a


better understanding of disability— whether permanent or transient—is crucial. “Disability is never the choice of the individual,” he said. “I am certain Tariq would ‘give up’ his disability willingly if only the choice existed to return to full health and an operational policing role.” He concluded with


“Disability is never the choice of the


individual. I am certain Tariq would ‘give up’ his disability willingly if only the choice existed to return to full health and an operational policing role.”


a call for change, not just in how individual cases are handled, but in how policing as a whole approaches disability and long-term health conditions. “Modern policing has many


facets, and there is a place for those with disability. But there has to be a better understanding by line managers and senior officers to fully support them, and value the meaningful contributions they can continue to provide.” Sergeant Brewster commends Tariq for his bravery in taking on the MPS in what he calls “a David versus Goliath battle”. Tariq’s fight, he said, was not only for himself but for the many officers across the Met and other forces who face similar challenges. “Working from home, as a reviewable reasonable adjustment, fits within the provisions of the Equality Act, and this case can and should be widely used as a benchmark.”


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