Khizra Bano, a former inspector with West Midlands Police, has secured a six-figure settlement following a legal dispute over discrimination claims against the force. The amount, described as “considerable” by the Police Federation, was agreed upon without any admission of liability to conclude her employment tribunal case.
Bano, who dedicated over 20 years to policing, had recently pursued claims of victimisation and disability discrimination. Earlier, her tribunal claims regarding sexual and racial discrimination were dismissed or withdrawn. West Midlands Police maintains it will continue to vigorously defend against unfounded allegations of discrimination.
The dispute gained public attention after an incident in May 2023, when Bano—referred to as Khizra Dhindsa by the force—clashed with Chief Constable Craig Guildford while supporting a colleague at a meeting. Following this, she faced an investigation by the professional standards department and subsequently retired.
READ MORE: Octopus Energy Accelerates Home Energy Upgrades with Kuppa Acquisition
READ MORE: Stunned Midland Parent ‘Can’t Believe I Didn’t Realise Child Was Being Groomed Online’
The Police Federation, which backed Bano throughout her case, emphasized that while the settlement marks the end of this legal chapter, it does not resolve the wider cultural issues within the force. Federation leaders highlighted ongoing challenges in policing, including mental health pressures and inconsistent delivery of duty of care.
Mukund Krishna, CEO of the Police Federation, praised Bano’s service and called for systemic changes prioritizing personnel well-being over bureaucracy. He reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to standing against wrongdoing and urged the newly proposed Police Leadership Commission to address the cultural and leadership concerns illuminated by this case.
West Midlands Police, responding to the settlement, acknowledged improvements in handling internal reports and misconduct but reiterated their stance against unjust discrimination allegations. The force expressed gratitude for Bano’s service and wished her well in her future endeavors.