Sir Lain’s statement on Scotland police and policing culture in the UK
The chief constable of Police Scotland, Sir Lain’s statement, has admitted that the force is institutionally racist and biased.
Sir Iain Livingstone said discrimination and lousy conduct within the force was “rightly of great consideration”.
Sir Lain’s statement says the force is racial and discriminatory:
He even said that admitting the existing problems was necessary for real change. A review recently found first-hand reports of racism and sexism by serving officials.
It even heard cases where force was “punished” for raising problems.
Sir Iain’s statement is considered the first of its type by a police chief and comes amid continuing debate about policing culture in the UK.
But he emphasised that acknowledging institutional prejudice did not mean that individual officials and staff were racist or sexist and voiced pride and trust in their work.
Speaking at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority on Thursday morning, Sir Iain said: “It is suitable for me, as Chief Constable, to clearly state that institutional racism, sexism, misogyny and discrimination exist.
“Police Scotland is institutionally biased and racist. Publicly admitting these problems exist institutionally is essential to our absolute dedication to supporting equality and becoming an anti-racist service.”
“It is even necessary to our determination to lead broader societal change.”
Sir Iain, who will retire on 10 August, acknowledged that people from diverse backgrounds or with different needs “don’t always get the service that is their privilege”.
He stated this was also true for the force’s officials and staff. Last year Police Scotland established a four-year process called “Policing Together” to tackle bias in the force and the community.
An assistant chief constable has since been elected to lead its delivery, and a required leadership agenda is to be rolled out to nearly 5,000 officials and staff to enhance the current workplace culture.
