We do not need more reports or inquiries. We need action

We’re lucky to have a police service that, by and large, we can rely on.

Throughout my time in criminal justice I’ve met upstanding, courageous women and men serving their communities, looking out for the vulnerable, and helping us when we become victims of crime. They run towards danger when we run away from it.

But, as in all professional groups, there are bad apples, and bad attitudes too. Left unchallenged, these can – and in Police Scotland, have – created an unhealthy culture of racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia.

Don’t take my word for it. These are the findings of distinguished lawyer Dame Elish Angiolini in her recent report for the Scottish Government. I’ve no reason to disbelieve her. Insiders have told me that calling out this culture can damage careers – not those of the perpetrators, but of the brave officers who speak up and report it. Whistleblowers get hounded out. Those who stay frequently have their lives made a misery. The Scottish Police Federation, which exists to support officers, has not represented all its members equally – again this is not just my view, but the evidence from the report.

Dame Elish has called for an independent review of equality matters at Police Scotland. But we don’t need another review to tell us what we already know. No more reports, no more inquiries, no more inspections. Just effective action. Root out officers who fail to show the policing values of integrity, fairness and respect. Reward those committed to working collegiately and serving Scotland’s diverse communities.

A more inclusive workplace will stem the haemorrhage of female and minority ethnic talent. Dame Elish wrote about the loss of enthusiastic, intelligent and public spirited officers due to unequal treatment, and as a result of not feeling included, valued or listened to. Let’s nurture the good officers, let them flourish and create a police service that better reflects society across Scotland.

Dame Elish nailed it when she said: “If officers behave badly towards each other, the prospect of fair treatment to members of the public is greatly diminished,” or as a serving police officer put it, “if you treat the people inside the organisation badly, the likelihood is that you will also treat people outside the organisation badly.”

That’s why police culture is a matter for all of us, not just for cops.