One in three police officers ‘fear bully ing by their bosses’
NEARLY one in three senior police officers has concerns about their bosses’ behaviour – including claims of bullying and misuse of power, a survey shows.
The findings come after Police Scotland Chief Constable Phil gormley admitted he was under investigation over allegations of bullying.
The figures were produced by the association of Scottish Police Superintendents (aSPS), representing superintendents and chief superintendents, which surveyed its membership.
It also uncovered evidence of widespread anxiety and depression, four years after the controversial streamlining of Scotland’s eight territorial police forces.
last night, Scottish Tory justice spokesman liam Kerr said: ‘any organisation would be appalled if around a third of its senior staff felt this way.
‘and with the problems Police Scotland has allegedly had at the top with bullying, it shouldn’t be surprised if that culture is dripping down.
‘We need our senior police officers working hard on behalf of the public, not sitting in an office fearing being bullied or feeling unsupported by their boss.’
according to the aSPS ‘resilience’ survey, 68 per cent of respondents said their chief officer team – their bosses – ‘show supportive behaviour rather than bullying behaviour, eg unfair criticism, intimidation, verbal insults, misuse of power’. The rest – 32 per cent or nearly a third – were unable to agree with that statement.
The survey, which has been handed to the Scottish Police
‘Appalling if staff feel this way’
authority watchdog, also shows 45 per cent suffered from mild, moderate or severe anxiety and 23 per cent suffered from depression.
Craig Suttie, aSPS general secretary, said it also showed officers’ days off were being disrupted and they felt some meetings were a waste of time.
Mr Suttie said he was ‘disappointed that yet again we are reporting that many members are clearly not taking their allocated days off and working extended days, as well as being more likely to be disturbed on their days off than colleagues elsewhere in the UK’.
He said: ‘Many members consider that the demands of their job have increased by an excessive amount in the last year.’
gordon Crossan, aSPS president, said: ‘The survey... clearly demonstrates that officers of superintendent rank are working in stressful conditions, which is having an effect on their well-being. However, we are effectively engaging with the senior management team of Police Scotland to look at ways in which we can reduce the burden and be more supportive to these officers.’
Peter Blair, head of resource management at the force, said: ‘There is a wide range of training and development on offer... which is designed to support staff to provide excellent service to the communities we serve.’
Mr gormley is accused of shouting and swearing at his staff officer. He is the subject of a high-level ‘gross misconduct’ probe by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.