A community police constable from Bradford has been forced to resign after he called an Asian colleague a 'wog'.

Eccleshill beat officer Rick Pentith admitted making the racist remark about a fellow PC during a row about work rotas.

West Yorkshire Police has confirmed the former Shipley community constable was "required to resign" from the force at a disciplinary hearing yesterday.

The disciplinary panel, made up of an Assistant Chief Constable and two Chief Superintendents from across the county, gave its decision on a majority verdict.

Mr Pentith immediately lodged an appeal, which will be heard by another panel which includes Chief Constable Graham Moore and a West Yorkshire Police Authority member.

Police Authority Chairman, Councillor Neil Taggart, today described it as a "landmark case" which sent out a clear message that the force will not tolerate racism.

It is believed to be the first case of its kind in the country - where an officer has been asked to resign for racism against another officer - since the Macpherson Report into the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.

West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Steve Smith, who has overall responsibility for community and race relations, said: "Racist language or behaviour by any member of West Yorkshire Police is unacceptable."

A statement from West Yorkshire Police said the Force's stance on racism had been stated "unambiguously and publicly".

It said: "This ruling demonstrates that commitment. The evidence in the case did not come to light as a result of a complaint by a minority ethnic officer.

"It is actually encouraging that we appear to be moving closer to an environment where such words and behaviour are recognised as unacceptable so that appropriate action can be taken."

But one police constable serving in the Bradford district - who did not want to named - said: "The feeling among Rick Pentith's colleagues at Eccleshill is one of absolute disbelief.

"A lot of officers are disgusted at the way he has been treated and the level of punishment."

Chief Constable Graham Moore has made it clear in the past that racist, sexist and homophobic language and behaviour will not be tolerated in his force.

West Yorkshire Police wants to boost the number of ethnic minority officers on its books. It's latest recruitment campaign is entitled "A Team Strengthened By Differences."

Mr Pentith was represented at yesterday's disciplinary panel hearing by the West Yorkshire Police Federation.

Federation chairman Roger Benn said the former constable had admitted making the remark.

He said: "An appeal to the Chief Constable on the basis of the panel's findings has been lodged.

"The decision stands until such time as the appeal is heard, which could be a matter of weeks. I cannot comment further until the case is resolved."

West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman, Councillor Neil Taggart, told the T&A he was saddened but not surprised by the case.

He said: "I know of other forces in the country where this has happened and the punishment has not been as serious.

"This is certainly a landmark case for West Yorkshire. The fact this officer has been required to resign shows how seriously the matter has been taken.

"The Police Authority and Chief Constable are united in making clear racist behaviour or comments are absolutely and completely unacceptable in the organisation.

"The fact we have people living in West Yorkshire from different ethnic backgrounds is of benefit to the county. If an organisation like West Yorkshire Police is thought to be racist, black and Asian people will not apply for vacancies."

As revealed in the Telegraph & Argus last September, Mr Pentith made the remarks during a row about Christmas rotas.

It was originally understood that a senior officer at the police HQ in Wakefield had overheard the remarks during a telephone conversation.

But it has since come to light that the complaint was in fact made by another officer at Eccleshill.

The matter was referred to the Force's Discipline and Complaints department.

Mr Pentith was transferred from his role as Community Action Team constable for Shipley while inquiries were carried out.

He served his last 10 months as a beat officer in Eccleshill. The Asian officer who was the subject of the slur has since left Eccleshill for another West Yorkshire Police division.

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