Every time I glance at the news, there seems to be another shocking revelation about the Metropolitan police service and the behaviour – or more accurately, misbehaviour – of its officers. Since the tragic killing of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer, the situation has become unbearable for women who are supposed to be able to rely on the police to protect them. In recent months, a concerning number of Met officers have been exposed as domestic abusers; two have been jailed for sharing sick photos of the scene where two women had been murdered; and many more have been dismissed for sexual misconduct and using the power of their warrant card for sexual gratification.
Despite all of this, I am actually pro-police. I’m desperate for the Met to regain its reputation as one of the most trustworthy forces in the world. I was proud to join the force back in 2004, spending 11 years as a police constable. I worked with many excellent officers who amazed and inspired me every day with their kindness, determination and courage. As a woman, however, I also experienced the other side of my male colleagues. I had hardcore pornography shoved in my face on a carrier full of uniformed riot police. I was forced to listen as male colleagues listed the women on our team in order of attractiveness. I heard female colleagues described as “prick teases”, “sluts” and, of course, “the team bike”. Did these things make me uncomfortable? Yes. Did I speak out? No.
