SCOTLAND’S POLICE CHIEF ADMITS FORCE IS ‘INSTITUTIONALLY RACIST AND DISCRIMINATORY’

Fri 26 May 2023:

The right thing to do as chief constable, according to Sir Iain Livingstone, is to “clearly state that institutional racism, sexism, misogyny, and discrimination exist” within the police department.

Speaking at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority on Thursday, Livingstone said prejudice and bad behavior within the police was “rightly of great concern and is utterly condemned.”

“It is also critical to our determination to lead wider change in society.

“Prejudice and bad behaviour within policing, as highlighted by court and conduct cases, various independent reviews and by listening to our own officers and staff over recent years, is rightly of great concern and is utterly condemned.”

“Police Scotland is institutionally racist and discriminatory. Publicly acknowledging these institutional issues exist is essential to our absolute commitment to championing equality and becoming an anti-racist service,” he added.

"Police Scotland is institutionally racist and discriminatory," says Sir Iain Livingstone, chief constable of Police Scotland.

He also says there has been "rigorous recruitment" and "enhanced vetting" in the organisation.https://t.co/0zhDB1YKVa

📺 Sky 501 / YouTube pic.twitter.com/dVAf17Vj3X

— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 25, 2023

“The onus is on us, the police service, to address gaps and challenge bias, known or unwitting, at every level, wherever bias occurs, to maintain and build confidence with all communities.”

Sir Iain added that understanding and recognising institutional racism and discrimination will help lead the “necessary change” in the force and “contribute to change across society”.

He said that Scotland as a whole must join the mission to “eradicate discrimination”.

Livingstone, who is retiring in August, said it is critical to department’s determination to lead wider change in society. He stressed that the force should now “move beyond words and focus on action.”

An independent investigation into the London police department earlier in March came to the conclusion that the Metropolitan Police is “rotten, broken, institutionally racist” and should to be abolished if it cannot change.

The disturbing incidents detailed in the 363-page report included one in which a female Met Police officer was “forcibly undressed” by a male officer in a patrol car and made to sit on his lap.

The force, it said, has failed to protect the public from officers who abuse women. Londoners have been “put last” and the city “no longer has a functioning neighburhood policing service,” it added.

According to recent data given by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, a total of 1,483 claims of violence were reported against 1,539 police officers in England and Wales over the course of six months.

Only 13 policemen and employees were terminated for misbehavior, and no one was let go as a result of complaints from the general public.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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