POLICE MUST FEEL SAFE
It’s worrying to learn the Calgary Police Service is a workplace marred by accusations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation. The revelation, contained in a human resources report written by an independent auditor, comes the same month the RCMP apologized and settled with plaintiffs in two proposed class-action lawsuits that alleged systemic gender-based harassment and discrimination within the national force.
Calgary’s report was written three years ago under then-chief Rick Hanson, but anecdotal evidence suggests conditions haven’t improved within the city police force. A current female member told Postmedia that seven officers texted photos of their genitals to her. She also says a co-worker grabbed her head without warning and shoved it into his crotch, telling her to “do something useful.”
This is abhorrent, unacceptable behaviour, but the culture in the police service is so toxic the subjects of abuse are often unwilling to come forward, according to the report — a fact confirmed by the victimized female officer. She said when she reported previous incidents to her bosses, they either didn’t know how to handle them, or didn’t deal with them at all.
“When I joined the job, the people I worked with made it clear that reporting behaviour that you were offended by was not acceptable and would only ruin your career,” said the officer.
“I have spent most of my career terrified that if I complain ... that I will be the one in trouble.”
Such remarks are troubling and reveal a poisonous culture within the police department. As well, some women have reported feeling their chances for promotion were lost when they became pregnant.
Since receiving the report, the force has created a so-called office of inclusion, which is designed to process complaints related to workplace culture, and is consulting with the University of Calgary’s gender studies program to better understand such issues.
Still more needs to be done. Society’s justice system depends on victims being confident they can report wrongdoing without repercussions, so it’s not acceptable that members of our police force believe they must remain silent. It is one thing to present an image of unity to the public, but it’s quite another to be afraid to call out colleagues for reprehensible behaviour.
The Calgary Police Service’s management and the Calgary Police Commission need to make reforming this toxic workplace environment their highest priority. Everyone deserves to work in a respectful work environment — just ask the traumatized female RCMP members who will share $100 million in compensation for their suffering.