Police college to take action over ‘unacceptable bullying’

RESEARCH CONDUCTED by Scotland’s police training centre following allegations of systematic bullying has found that almost a third of its staff have been victims.

The Scottish Police College commissioned an anonymous survey following the Unison claims.

Although nearly nine out of 10 staff members rejected the notion there was systematic bullying at Tulliallan in Fife, and more than eight out of 10 rated the college as a good place to work, 28% admitted they had experienced an incident of bullying by a manager or colleague at some point.

John Geates, director of the college, which is to become the HQ of the single Scottish police force next year, said bullying was unacceptable and action would be taken to contain it.

He said: “While the survey showed a widespread rejection of the systematic bullying claims, some of these findings make troubling reading.

“Over 80% of employees replied to the survey during a peak holiday period so it is clear that our employees feel passionate about working at the college.

“Bullying and harassment in our work place is completely unacceptable.

“We take this feedback very seriously indeed and we are committed to following it up and addressing it.

“While it can be difficult to quantify what constitutes bullying in the eyes of an individual, we need to understand more about the incidences staff have experienced and why existing policies and procedures haven’t allowed the concerns to be addressed effectively.

“We believe the next steps are crucial in helping us gain a greater insight and, following consultation with employees, we will prepare an action plan to address the concerns highlighted in the survey.

“We don’t want individual incidents becoming a wider culture at the college or, indeed, elsewhere in the police.”

Andrea Quinn, chief executive of the Scottish Police Services Authority, said: “It was encouraging that so many told us they liked working at the college but we want all our employees to feel that this is a great place to work. Bullying and harassment has no place at the college or indeed anywhere in the SPSA.

“Our commitment is that, where it does exist, we will tackle it.”

The chairman of Fife Council’s police transition committee, Councillor Gavin Yates, had called for full transparency and yesterday said: “I am pleased they have done this survey.

“Mr Geates is right to point out it does make, in places, troubling reading.

“It is vital that action is taken to address these problems and get the police college moving forward.

“Now is a crucial time for policing and it is absolutely essential the Scottish Police College has a good quality ethos.”

Staff, who are employed by the SPSA, were informed of the results of the survey yesterday and over the next few weeks a series of focus groups will be run independently.

There are 118 civilian employees at the college. The Courier revealed the Unison Fife allegations of workers suffering intimidation and poor management in early July.