Officer forced to quit claims ‘toxic culture’ is unchanged
An officer forced to quit after being sexually assaulted by a colleague says a “toxic boys’ club” culture at their station still exists.
Gemma Macrae has been told former colleagues are still calling her a liar and blames Police Scotland, insisting their refusal to immediately suspend PC Scott Gallop allowed him to “bad mouth her and continue lying about what he did”.
Gemma, 33, said: “I believe it is utterly unacceptable for Police Scotland to have left Gallop working on the frontline, dealing with vulnerable victims, despite knowing the serious allegations against him. What kind of message does that send about Police Scotland and their true attitude to misogyny?”
Last week Gallop, 54, who had been repeatedly warned by Macrae to stop touching her, was placed on the sex offender’s register for a year.
Gemma said that other incidents “still not been fully investigated and dealt with”.
She said: “A number of other victims of bullying came forward after I lodged my complaints, but senior officers repeatedly named in numerous allegations of bullying continue to supervise those who made complaints, leaving them exposed and fearful.
“Police Scotland have reassured the public they have dealt with it and that they will not tolerate such behaviour, but that is nothing more than spin as nothing has really changed.
“I know some of my former colleagues are still calling me a liar and blaming for what happened, despite Gallop being found guilty.”
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs, executive lead for professionalism and assurance, said: “Scott Gallop’s conduct fell far below the high standards the public rightly expects of a police officer. It takes a great deal of courage to report sexual assault and I understand how much more challenging that must be when the offender is a police officer.”