Lesbian trainee Pc hangs herself after ‘Met homophobia’

Problems: Lara Goldie with a friend. She wrote a four-page suicide letter
12 April 2012

Neighbours today told of their shock at the suicide of a lesbian policewoman who had accused colleagues of homophobia.

In a four-page suicide letter, Lara Goldie, 28, claimed staff at the Metropolitan Police's Hendon training college were prejudiced against her because of her sexuality.

She hanged herself at her flat in Hackney and was discovered by a neighbour on Sunday morning.

Residents at the new-build block in Clapton said they were stunned by her death. One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "She had moved here a few months ago.

"She lived here and we would say hello down at the bins, but I didn't know her that well. Then on Sunday I heard that she had committed suicide. It's terrible."

Ms Goldie, a probationary constable, was working in Haringey after graduating from Hendon in April.

Much of her suicide letter is believed to have referred to recent problems in her personal life. But one paragraph spoke about the attitudes of colleagues at Hendon and at Haringey.

The Metropolitan Police Directorate of Professional Standards has launched an inquiry into her death.

It will question all her colleagues over the allegations but it is understood they have strongly denied being homophobic towards Ms Goldie.

The trainee Pc is thought to have moved to the flat after splitting up with a long-term girlfriend.

A source at Hendon training college said everyone there was in shock.

The source said: "There is a palpable sense of shock that anyone has been accused of homophobia. Once the police had a reputation for being homophobic and racist but we have moved on a lot since then."

A spokesman for the Met said: "Her death is not being treated as suspicious. It is tragic that a young officer has died. At this sad and difficult time, our thoughts are with Lara's family, friends and colleagues. It is a tragedy."

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