Australian football star Samantha Kerr has been found not guilty of racially harassing a London policeman after calling him “stupid and white” during an incident in 2023.
Available for comment: Dr Megan McElhone, Senior Lecturer, Criminology
Contact: [email protected]
Note: Dr McElhone is not available by phone today but will respond to emails.
The following can be attributed to Dr McElhone:
“Sam Kerr was widely condemned when news broke that she had called a London police officer ‘stupid and white’ during an altercation.
“But many argued her comments did not amount to racism given the power dynamics at play: not only is Kerr of Indian descent, but official inquiries have found the Metropolitan Police to be institutionally racist.
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“Historically, police have played a role in sustaining colonialism, racism and white supremacy. Calling Kerr’s words racist overlooks that they don’t accord with an entrenched, global system of power.
“Broadly speaking, public order offences criminalise words and behaviour that might breach the peace. Police have significant discretion to use these offences as tools to regulate people’s uses of public space.
“In Australia and the UK, police have been shown to use these powers in discriminatory ways.
“Kerr has conceded her behaviour was regrettable but the charge against her is difficult to align with the purpose of public order legislation.’’
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