Global Courant 2023-05-25 18:47:03
BIRMINGHAM, England
Scotland Police Service chief Sir Iain Livingstone said the right thing to do as chief constable was to “make it clear 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 ill-treatment within the police “are justifiably a cause for great concern and are fully condemned”.
He added, “The Police of Scotland are institutionally racist and discriminatory. Publicly acknowledging that these institutional problems exist is essential to our absolute commitment to advocating equality and being an anti-racist service.”
Livingstone, who will retire in August, said the ministry’s determination to spearhead broader change in society was critical. He stressed that power must now “go beyond words and focus on action”.
In early March, an independent report to the London police force concluded that the Metropolitan Police were “rotten, decadent, institutionally racist” and should be disbanded if unable to change.
The 363-page report uncovered several shocking events, including a female Met Police officer being “forced to undress” and forced to sit on his lap by a male officer in his patrol car.
It was stated that the police failed to protect the public from police officers harassing women. Londoners were “saved for last” and the city “no longer has a functioning neighborhood police force”, he added.
A total of 1,483 allegations of violence against 1,539 police officers were reported in England and Wales over a six-month period, according to the latest data released by the National Council of Chiefs of Police.
Only 13 officers and staff were dismissed for misconduct, and no one was fired as a result of public complaints.
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