Probe into police ‘sexist culture’
AN investigation of Scotland’s police service is to be launched by an outside force after a damning employment tribunal found evidence of sexism.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will investigate after firearms officer Rhona Malone won a tribunal case in September, claiming she had been victimised and hounded from her job following her accusation of sexism against a senior colleague.
The tribunal found a ‘culture of sexism’ in the firearms division, which was branded an ‘absolute boys’ club’ following its treatment of former armed response officer Mrs Malone, 45, and other female officers.
Separately, a watchdog’s report last month found that Scotland’s police are in the grip of a ‘culture driven by fear and misogyny’. Nearly one in three current and former female employees told a survey they had been subjected to harassment, including sexual assault.
The report by her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland lifted the lid on claims of ‘sexual assault and harassment, jokes, innuendo, unfair and unequal treatment and a lack of opportunities and support’.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the PSNI would ‘cast an independent eye [on the findings of the Malone tribunal] and carry out an assessment in regard to individual officers’ conduct, organisational issues and also cultural issues’.
Its findings will be passed to Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor to consider any ‘further action’. Mr Livingstone said: ‘We’ve asked for it to be rigorous and we’ve asked for it to be thorough.’
he also told a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority that domestic violence is underreported and police must do more to win victims’ trust. Mr Livingstone said the force had to accept the level of domestic crime reported was far less than the ‘actuality’.
Police recorded 62,907 incidents of domestic abuse in 2019-20, a rise of 4 per cent compared with the previous year.
Meanwhile, police have warned online Christmas shoppers to be cautious amid concern over rising cybercrime – and to remain vigilant when attending Christmas markets after two terror attacks in just one month took place, in Liverpool and essex.