Carnivore cops have been warned that calling vegetarian colleagues “turnips” could constitute discrimination.
Some meat-eating officers also refer to veggie peelers as “veg heads” and “mushroom heads” – and West Midlands Police say the jibes could be considered offensive.
But a source said: “Officers couldn’t believe it.
“It was only meant as a laugh, not at all as an insult. In fact, quite a few officers were asking advice on cutting down on meat and eating more healthily. They made a meal out of it when it wasn’t an issue at all.”
West Midlands Police said all staff must uphold the highest standards, adding: “Inappropriate behaviour inside and outside the force will not be tolerated.”
It comes after West Midlands Police issued a ban last November on calling shorter constables “laptops” – meaning “tiny PCs”.
In September, the force was mocked for letting a rookie cop take his pet snail to work so he could pet it to calm his nerves.
And last March, Chief Constable Sir David Thompson had to defend his “rigorous” training scheme after claims some rookies were scared by flashing blue lights.
