Refuge responds to HMICFRS inspection of vetting, misconduct, and misogyny in the police service

In response to today’s His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection of vetting, misconduct, and misogyny in the police service, Ruth Davison, Refuge chief executive said:

“This report, which highlights a systemic culture of misogyny, sexism, and predatory behaviour towards women in policing in many forces, presents an overview of abhorrent behaviours and practices running deep within the police force across the county. Behaviours which are directly contributing to the lack of trust that women have in the police, which makes them less likely to report crimes committed against them and puts their lives at risk.

It is unconscionable for politicians, police leaders and police forces to do anything other than take radical action to overhaul the police recruitment and complaints processes and instruct root and branch reform. The police are supposed to be the first line of defence for women and girls, yet wholly inadequate practices are allowing the wrong people to join, and stay in, the force, and turning a blind eye when these officers commit crimes, or display behaviours which should have no place in the force.

Minoritised men and women have warned for decades that the police are institutionally racist, and now we know that they are also allowing a culture of violent misogyny to go unchecked and largely unpunished. Officers with misconduct allegations are able to rotate between forces and serious incidents are falling through cracks in the system.  

The time for words and commitments to review is over. Only radical reform and a zero-tolerance policy will go anyway to restoring trust in the police”

ENDS

Notes to editors

HMICFRS’s inspection into vetting, misconduct and misogyny in the police service can be read here: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/publication-html/an-inspection-of-vetting-misconduct-and-misogyny-in-the-police-service/

For more information or to arrange an interview contact the press office on 0207 395 7731 or email the press team.

About Refuge
Refuge supports thousands of women and children on any given day, and runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is the gateway to accessing specialist support across the country. More than one in four women in England and Wales experiences domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and two women a week are killed by a current or former partner.

Please signpost to Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support. Or visit the National Domestic Abuse Helpline to fill in a webform and request a safe time to be contacted or to access live chat (live chat available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday). For support with tech abuse visit our dedicated tech abuse website.