Failed checks and omissions have resulted in perhaps thousands of officers on duty acting as predators towards women, according to a study by UK regulator HMICFRS published Wednesday. “It’s too easy for the wrong people to join the police force and stay there,” said HMICFRS inspector Matt Parr.
A culture of misogyny, sexism and predatory behavior towards female police officers and members of the public is rife among the police, it said. Officials would abuse their power to unfairly block women in “loot checks,” as they call it internally. Police offenses such as sexual assault are covered up and ignored.
On Wednesday, two men – a current police officer, a former – had been sentenced for exchanging sexist and racist messages in chat groups.
The investigation was conducted after the murder of Londoner Sarah Everard. A police officer kidnapped, raped and murdered the 33-year-old in March 2021 using his service ID. The case had permanently shaken confidence in the police. If steps had been taken earlier to improve pre-employment checks, it would have been much more difficult for people like the Everard killer to get a job as a police officer, it is now said. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the report sheds strong light on the issues. It is unacceptable that women continue to experience misogynistic and sexist behaviour.
(SDA)