Reaction: ‘This shameful case highlights just how little has changed despite all of the reports and all of the promises’
A former officer’s decision to break her silence to detail how she was driven out of her dream job as senior officers failed to tackle her claims of sexism, misogyny and bullying was commended yesterday.
Gemma MacRae’s courage was applauded as other victims of police sexism along with politicians, campaigners and lawyers warned the time for promises of change from senior officers was over. They demanded urgent action by the Scottish Government to stop accused officers being allowed to transfer or retire and to ensure women officers’ concerns are taken seriously to stop sexism and bullying.
Moi Ali, a former Scottish Police Authority board member and a campaigner for greater transparency in public life, said a damning report detailing sexism within Police Scotland by former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini should have been a watershed moment.
She said: “This is a shameful case and one that highlights just how very little has changed despite these damning reports and the assurances of Chief Constable Iain Livingstone that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. It is deeply disturbing that an officer who had sexual assault allegations made against him was allowed to continue working with the public for almost a year, and then allowed to retire without facing censure from Police Scotland. The current system in Scotland would also have allowed (former police constable Scott) Gallop to move seamlessly to another force.
“While officers in England and Wales face action and censure for any wrongdoing even after they retire, for some unknown reason this has not been adopted in Scotland. It is something the Scottish Government should be implementing without delay.
“The length of time this case has taken is also unacceptable, not only for the victim but also for the officer concerned. One of the deepest sadnesses is that yet again we see the career of a promising young female officer being lost because of misogyny and unacceptable behaviour. We simply cannot allow a culture of such behaviour to continue.”
Former Assistant Chief Constable Angela Wilson, who has been outspoken against bullying and misogyny, said: “Victims of misogyny and bad behaviour must be
reassured their allegations are properly dealt with, but I’m afraid this case highlights very little appears to have changed.”
An industrial tribunal found former police officer turned whistleblower Karen Harper was victimised by Sergeant Doug Bell after she lodged a bullying claim against him. She said: “Chief Constable Iain Livingstone must answer why so many disturbing cases of bullying and misogyny are continuing to emerge despite all his extensive PR campaign insisting those behaviours will not be tolerated. The huge cost to the public in training officers only for them to feel they have no choice but to leave because of the culture they find themselves facing, is a disturbing indictment on what is truly going on in Police Scotland.”
Harper, who had most of her case upheld by an employment tribunal against the single force, said: “We are continuing to see cases where the force almost protects the officers accused of wrongdoing, while those making complaints are victimised and silenced.”
Scottish Conservative shadow community safety minister Russell Findlay, who will be raising the case in parliament, said: “Gemma MacRae deserves our respect for waging an arduous battle for justice. She is also due an apology from Police Scotland. This is not just about seedy cover-ups, but a sinister culture that seeks to discredit and destroy those who are brave enough to speak out. It is now imperative for the SNP justice secretary to fix Scotland’s broken system of police governance and complaints as a matter of urgency.”
MacRae’s lawyer, Stephen Smith of Livingstone Brown, said: “We have a number of cases involving female officers where Police Scotland has failed to follow its own procedures. It seems the situation is endemic. All involve cases of assault where Police Scotland appears reluctant to investigate.”
MacRae will now pursue a claim for sex discrimination over the loss of her career.