A drive to encourage police officers to report misogyny in the ranks ‘flopped’ after it led to only seven online submissions. They were able to upload pictures – for example screengrabs of offensive WhatsApp messages – in a bid to help stamp out sexist attitudes.
It came after former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone branded Police Scotland institutionally misogynist and racist. The photo scheme, called Photovoice, was described as an ‘innovative approach which enabled participants to capture and share an insight into their workplace experiences.”
Only seven responses were received – and no disciplinary action was taken in relation to any of them.
Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Sharon Dowey said: ‘Misogyny in all walks of life must be tackled, but this well-intentioned scheme has clearly flopped within Police Scotland.
‘These results should ensure police bosses focus their efforts on fighting crime rather than box-ticking exercises like this in the future.’ According to the force website, ‘all colleagues from Police Scotland [were invited] to submit photographs that highlight your everyday experiences of sexism and misogyny in the workplace’.
One image submitted showed framed pictures of former police chiefs and senior officers, all of them male, lining a wall in a corridor in a police building.
Before retiring in 2023, Sir Iain vowed to crack down on ‘canteen culture’ and offensive banter. In 2024, an independent review found sexist and misogynist attitudes were still ‘pervasive’.
The three-year probe found ‘deeply embedded outdated attitudes that contribute to a hostile environment towards women within the service, and likely affect policing in wider society’. Last year, Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: ‘We have a number of mechanisms in place to tackle sexism and misogyny. The Photovoice platform is one of these. Submissions are assessed and, where necessary, appropriate action is taken.’
Police Scotland said the ‘colleague engagement activity was intended to be short-term and closed on March 31, 2025’. A spokesman added: ‘We continue to promote ways in which colleagues can raise concerns within Police Scotland, including anonymously through our “Integrity Matters” service and via the CrimeStoppers integrity line.’
