Rebecca Kalam, a former firearms officer, won a sex discrimination case against West Midlands Police. As a result, she was awarded more than £820,000. The decision to award her compensation for loss of earnings and pension was the “unanimous decision of the tribunal panel”.
The force’s Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green apologised for the “significant impact” she had to go through. Kalam had said that it was her dream to become chief constable.
“I am sorry that more was not done sooner to address the serious issues raised by Mrs Kalam and I apologise for the significant impact that these have had on her which has been highlighted during the tribunal,” BBC quoted DCC Green as saying.
As per the report, she was once stripped down to her underwear during a training exercise, the tribunal heard. In another incident, she said that a male officer put his foot on the back of her neck while doing press-ups, and was told that having breasts “does not mean you cannot do a press-up”.
Kalam sued the force for harassment, sex discrimination, and victimisation, to win a total of £820,720. She was awarded £30,000 at an employment tribunal in November 2023.
The West Midlands Police has now confirmed that three serving firearms officers are currently suspended and disciplinary actions are being taken against 10.
In a statement, Kalam said, “I had the ambition and drive to progress to the senior ranks, up to chief constable, and I was on track to do so.”
“One of the reasons I stayed on in the department was to try and change the culture from the inside,” she added.
Paul Odle, from the Metropolitan Police Federation, who has been supporting Kalam, said, “If we can’t even protect your own from inside the organisation, how can we basically, frankly, be honest and protect the public if that’s how we behave internally?”
Commenting on the whole issue, DCC Green said, “There is no place in policing for misogynistic, discriminatory or disrespectful behaviour and much progress has been made to set and reinforce the highest standards of conduct and professionalism.”
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