Police bullying report finds ‘boys’ club’ presiding over a culture of fear – IPCA
An independent report into police culture has described a ‘‘boys’ club’’ within the senior ranks which has presided over an ‘‘atmosphere of fear and acquiescence’’, which ‘‘marginalised and ostracised’’ those who challenged the status quo.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority report, published yesterday, was based on interviews with about 220 current and former police staff.
It revealed a culture in which even senior staff were afraid to speak up and a significant minority reported abusive behaviour.
Reports include female staff being called ‘‘bitches’’, physical intimidation, and officers refusing to respond to calls for backup when staff felt they were at risk in the field.
The authority’s review was instigated after media reports in 2019, in which current and former police employees alleged bullying. Police also launched their own separate review.
An additional survey of police staff – conducted jointly by IPCA and police – found that while the majority were comfortable with the police workplace culture, about 40 per cent had personally experienced poor behaviour towards them over the past year.
Roughly a quarter had experienced isolated incidents of abuse, bullying or harassment, and about one in 10 had suffered sustained bullying.
Half of the staff who responded to the survey also believed the appointments were made on the basis of existing relationships and loyalty, rather than capability and experience.
Those who complained often found themselves re-victimised.
Speaking to media yesterday, IPCA chair Judge Colin Doherty said 400 hours of confidential interviews were carried out by a panel of four interviewers who found the process ‘‘very difficult’’.
‘‘Senior police officers were rendered speechless.’’
While Doherty described the findings as painting a ‘‘bleak’’ pic
ture, he said much had changed over the time since the inquiry started in late 2019.
‘‘There are positive signs that the organisation has turned a corner since the present commissioner [Andrew Coster] was appointed. He and his leadership team have committed to fundamental change,’’ Judge Doherty said.
Coster, who replaced former Commissioner Mike Bush who retired last April after 42 years in police, also fronted media yesterday.
‘‘The report provides a deeper understanding of where police need to focus their efforts. We know we can do better,’’ he said.
Despite the report saying bullying behaviour is often hidden, he was confident it would be stamped out.
Coster said the report found bullying was not pervasive but defined to pockets.
It set out a strategy and action plan, which Coster said police will ensure is addressed.
Those interviewed by the ICPA identified a number of negative aspects of the culture, many of them focused on leadership and management.
In particular, the report points the finger at police’s senior staff, criticising a ‘‘boys’ club’’ based on ‘‘allegiances, cliques, nepotism and cronyism’’.
It further stated that those who challenged this club experienced bullying behaviour designed to belittle, intimidate, humiliate and ostracise.
Some managers and leaders were autocratic and their sense of entitlement filtered down the ranks.
Abusive and intimidatory conduct included reports of physical obstruction, in the form of shouldering people, verbal attacks, and ridicule.
The consequences of the negative culture were described as ‘‘profound’’ in terms of staff turnover, productivity, and physical and mental health.
Consequences also included post-traumatic stress disorder, personal relationship breakdowns, addiction issues and suicidal behaviour.
‘‘Senior police officers were rendered speechless.’’ Judge Colin Doherty IPCA chair, left.