"Having respect for all is about valuing people as individuals and treating people as they want to be treated". This is one of the values Nottinghamshire Police say people can expect from their local force.
But women do not seem to be part of the group who deserve the same respect, at least for a group of officers within the force. An exclusive article published by Nottinghamshire Live revealed the extent of 'work banter' which exists in our local police force.
The content, seen by Nottinghamshire Live, includes tasteless remarks about women in general, with some offensive and sexual messages made about fellow female officers. A long chain of messages laced with misogyny has now put Nottinghamshire Police in the spotlight at a time when policing standards across the UK have fallen under increased scrutiny.
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The nation was shaken to its core when a then serving Met officer, Wayne Couzens, was jailed for the brutal kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard in September 2021. He used his position and the trust placed in police officers to lure her to her death in Clapham, London, in March 2021.
Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) conducted an investigation after a download of Couzens’ phone, which revealed evidence of a Whatsapp group involving six other MPS officers where messages were exchanged. These included racist and homophobic comments, and derogatory remarks aimed at domestic abuse victims, people with disabilities and women, the IOPC said.
Now, one cannot help but wonder how different the Met is from all the other police forces in England and Wales?
Putting my job aside, I am also writing this from the perspective of a woman who feels betrayed by the people who are supposed to protect us. I cannot help but wonder - what does it take for society to take our fears seriously?
This last revelation about Nottinghamshire Police shocked me, but it was not a surprise in the slightest. And this is because I find society corrupted by toxic masculinity in most aspects of our lives.
I have been in situations before where I have challenged people's sexist and misogynistic views. And sadly, women are so used to being on the receiving end.
We become desensitised to verbal violence, because it is often passed on as banter. We would rather keep quiet to avoid situations where we could be perceived as hysterical.
'Boys will be boys', we are often told. Women are too emotional.
But only a woman understands the fear of walking alone at night.
The language used by these Nottinghamshire Police officers is no different to the conversation that a group of teenagers would have in a park or on the street. Misogyny is so ingrained into our society to a point where the very people who are supposed to protect us would undermine our needs.
One of the conversations related to a fellow female officer, who those involved in the groupchat said had lied about being assaulted by her partner, also an officer. "She is scared she made it up", read one of the messages.
Little do these officers know how many domestic violence victims are scared to come forward. But it is far too much to ask them for any empathy towards a woman, despite her being a colleague.
In a statement, Nottinghamshire Police clarified a criminal investigation into these messages concluded in July 2022, adding the force does "not tolerate this kind of behaviour". One officer has since been dismissed while two others were dealt with by disciplinary sanctions. Other police officers involved were given management advice.
But will women across Nottinghamshire be able to forgive and forget? How will Nottinghamshire Police be able to regain our trust?
It is not the first time misogynistic behaviours within police forces were sanctioned. And I doubt it will be the last.
This boys' culture must be stopped for the sake of our safety. For the future generations who should dare to walk the streets without fearing to become a target.
We have been screaming from the top of our lungs and fighting for equality for decades. And all I wish for is that police forces everywhere, young boys and grown-up men, listen to our public outcry.
Maybe there will be a time when men and women will be seen as equal. And maybe there will be a time when no female victim will think twice before reporting an incident to the police, offering them their full trust.
Maybe, for once and all, society would be able to ensure women's safety and our daughters will grow up not knowing the fear of walking alone at night.
