Full Breakdown
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Condemns Racist Abuse of Award-Winning Muslim Officer
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Award and Online Abuse
Police Constable Fiona Shaik Umar received the Outstanding Contribution to Women in Policing Award at the Police Federation’s annual conference. The accolade recognised her leadership of the Hijab Project, which introduced new uniform options for Muslim women officers. Shortly after the announcement, the officer became the target of a hostile online campaign that included racist, anti-Islamic and misogynistic messages. An especially egregious post featured an AI-generated image depicting a suicide bomb attached to her likeness.
Police Leadership Response
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley described the harassment as “vile” and warned that female officers and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are disproportionately exposed to such abuse. He linked the online tirade to broader threats faced by women MPs, noting that public servants increasingly operate in a hostile digital environment. Rowley’s comments were delivered on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme.
Officer’s Perspective
In a video posted on X by the Metropolitan Police Federation, PC Umar expressed gratitude for the award and reiterated her commitment to representation and inclusion within policing. She recounted how her daughter’s question about whether women like her could serve in the police sparked her dedication to creating a space for women who look like her across the United Kingdom.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I mean, the stuff out there is just vile.” — Sir Mark, metropolitan police commissioner
- “This is a vile world to be a public servant in,” — Sir Mark, metropolitan police commissioner
- “I'm truly humbled to receive this award because I'm super passionate about the work I do around representation and inclusion for women in policing.” — Fiona Shaik Umar