A Police Officer’s Struggle with Dyslexia and Mental Health
A police officer who has been diagnosed with dyslexia and depression has taken legal action against his employer, claiming disability discrimination. PC Lee Umpleby, a 18-year veteran of the force, is currently involved in a tribunal case against Avon and Somerset Police. The case centers around his move to a desk job following an incident where he falsely accused his ex-boss of drink-driving.
The Incident That Changed Everything
In May 2023, PC Umpleby followed Ministry of Defence Police Sgt Steve Knight’s car for five miles on his way to work before instructing traffic officers to breathalyse him. Although the test was negative, PC Umpleby later told a misconduct hearing that he believed Sgt Knight was a ‘bully’ who had previously drunk-driven. He wept as he was cleared of misconduct, with the 2024 hearing ruling that he genuinely believed his line manager was over the limit.
Disability Discrimination Claim
PC Umpleby has now filed a claim against Avon and Somerset Police, arguing that he was moved to a desk job due to his dyslexia and depression. An employment judge ruled on January 27 this year that he is a ‘disabled person’ under the Equality Act. The tribunal found significant evidence of his dyslexia, including a diagnostic assessment carried out by a psychologist at the request of his previous employer, Thames Valley Police, in 2008.
The psychologist’s report noted that while PC Umpleby had an average comprehension level, his spelling ability and writing speed were below average. It stated that “Lee is a friendly officer of superior overall intellect, who processes verbal and visual information much slower than average.” His difficulties were most evident in situations requiring quick assimilation or recording of written information.
Mental Health Challenges
PC Umpleby also provided evidence that he had been previously diagnosed with anxiety and depression. He was signed off in May 2016 as unfit for work until July later that year due to these issues and started taking antidepressants. He was signed off again from July to November. The police constable said his depression became unmanageable and that he needed to seek medical help, adding that his mental health issues were linked to events at work, which led him to leave and join a taxi company for a period.
Administrative Duties and Reasonable Adjustments
Despite his mental health issues, PC Umpleby had never asked for reasonable adjustments previously, as his role as a dog handler involved limited paperwork. However, when he was suspended from his dog handler role in 2023 and assigned to administrative duties from home, the amount of paperwork increased significantly. This included emails, reports, and responses, which caused difficulties due to his dyslexia.
He said he had no problem reacting quickly and appropriately when responding to immediate events in his role as a dog handler. However, throughout his career, he had struggled with paperwork.
Legal Proceedings and Tribunal Findings
During the tribunal, it was revealed that PC Umpleby had not been copied into an email from his trade union representative regarding the professional standards investigation. He said he had not seen the email until it was disclosed during proceedings. He claimed he had not been asked about reasonable adjustments and that his understanding was that he was being asked whether he was happy to be questioned by the investigator, which he was.
The tribunal accepted his explanation, noting that if he had known the nature of the request, he would have asked for an interview as a reasonable adjustment.
Mental Health Impact
The tribunal heard that PC Umpleby experienced no further mental health issues until June 2023, after he ordered colleagues to breathalyse his ex-boss. In medical records submitted to the court, he was recorded as saying that the investigation was causing a huge amount of stress and anxiety, and that he needed time off to cope with the situation.
He remained on sick leave, and in December 2023, the reason for his absence was recorded as a shoulder injury. Later that month, there was a reference to him having depression and being under a lot of stress at work. In January 2024, he was recorded as having anxiety and depression and was taking antidepressants again.
Tribunal Ruling
Employment judge D Gray-Jones concluded that PC Umpleby’s dyslexia did not cause him difficulties when working as a dog handler but did cause difficulties when he was assigned to administrative duties after his suspension in 2023. The judge also noted that his dyslexia had a substantial and adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Regarding his depression, the judge ruled that it was a reaction to events at work. The tribunal accepted PC Umpleby’s evidence that his depression affected his energy, concentration, and ability to cope with stress. As such, he was deemed a disabled person by reason of depression from January 2024.
