I’m glad sexism and bullying in police has been called out.. but it’s five years too late for me
Officer quit after her claims were ignored
A former police constable who was victimised by senior officers has claimed Nicola Sturgeon ignored her warnings about sexism in the force five years ago.
Karen Harper wrote to the First Minister explaining how she faced discrimination which led to her quitting her career.
The 52-year-old revealed she contacted the SNP leader after Dame Elish Angiolini QC’s report into failings within Police Scotland.
In her letter, penned in 2015, the mum of one claimed she was “bullied, ridiculed and discriminated against” while serving as an officer.
Karen, who had 22 years’ service before retiring through ill-health in 2017, said: “There are so many layers of secrecy within Police Scotland I’m afraid there will never be any meaningful accountability for how they have treated their staff.”
Angiol in i’ s findings, published last month, heavily criticised how the national force handles complaints.
The former Lord Advocate said she also received “very worrying evidence” of discriminatory behaviour and attitudes within its ranks.
Testimonies from staff raised issues over racism, sexism and homophobia, which requires a “fundamental” review of its culture, Angiolini warned.
Karen said: “When I wrote to Nicola Sturgeon five years ago, I was desperate.
“I was effectively told to engage with the system which is all very well but what happens when the system is broken, as Dame Elish has now confirmed? “Police Scotland act with impunity because they control the complaints system.”
Angiol ini ’ s review was ordered by Scottish ministers following the death in police custody of Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy in 2015.
Karen — who alongside seven campaigners has backed Scottish Tory calls for an “action tracker” to monitor how many of Dame Elish’s 81 recommendations is implemented.
She has now written again to Sturgeon again and urged action. The ex- officer claimed she was forced out of her job in Dumfries after raising concerns about the way a request for flexible working was handled.
She took her case to an employment tribunal, claiming she had been singled out by senior off icers, bullied and suffered sexual discrimination.
After a hearing, all but one of her allegations were dismissed. The panel agreed that she was victimised by comments made by a sergeant to a chief inspector.
Scottish Conservative shadow justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: “What struck me from meeting Karen Harper and others is the deep sense of injustice and unfairness.”
Police Scotland’s deputy chief constable Fiona Taylor said: “The Employment Tribunal found Ms Harper’s complaint to Police Scotland was dealt with carefully and diligently.”
A Scottish Government said: “The Scottish Government and Crown Office are engaging with Police Scotland, the SPA and the PIRC as we all consider Dame Elish’s recommendations and plan next steps.”