Britain’s most senior police officer has condemned “horrendous personal, sexist and homophobic” feedback aimed toward a newly-appointed assistant chief constable.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated on X on Saturday that the submit saying commander Karen Findlay’s, transfer from the Met to the British Transport Police (BTP) had been “focused by on-line trolls, many nameless, making horrendous private sexist and homophobic feedback.
“I am angry. My colleagues are angry. It isn’t acceptable and it’s happening too often.”
Reflecting on the broader problem of the web abuse officers face, Mr Rowley stated: “The intensity of the racist, sexist, and homophobic abuse directed at police officers on social media is increasing alarmingly.
“At a time when we have to entice officers from under-represented components of our communities that is massively damaging.”
The commissioner added: “It is wholly unacceptable that those whose profession is to protect and serve others increasingly face such intrusive, vile and hateful abuse.”
He urged folks on social media to “reflect on their actions”, insisting that his colleagues “deserve better”.
Ms Findlay, who has greater than 30 years’ policing expertise, herself condemned the “homophobic, sexist vileness” in a submit on X on Saturday, calling for her appointment to be judged on “professional experience, contribution and commitment”.
She reposted a press release made by BTP’s chief constable Lucy D’Orsi, which stated: “I have been shocked to see how many people took our post, which was celebrating the appointment of a senior woman in policing, as an opportunity to respond with vile, nasty, and homophobic messages.”
Ms D’Orsi added that though she was “disgusted” by the replies, the submit will stay up on X to “spotlight the misogyny that women in policing continue to face”.
Other senior officers additionally weighed in on the problem.
Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism officer, Matt Jukes, replied to Ms Findlay’s submit, calling it “infuriating to see the misogyny this has prompted”.
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Met assistant commissioner, Pippa Mills, stated: “The wave of congratulations from colleagues are testament to Karen’s reputation. The disgusting sexist and homophobic comments from a few anon accounts don’t dignify a response.”
College of Policing CEO Andy Marsh, stated “the abuse comments she’s [Ms Findlay’s] faced are not acceptable.”
Some commentators criticised the forces’ defence of Ms Findlay, calling it “embarrassing” and telling the authorities to “grow a backbone”, and dismissing her appointment as “box-ticking”, the Daily Mail stated.
Ms Findlay, a rugby coach and former Scottish worldwide, oversaw the policing of the King’s coronation and the Queen’s funeral and had an necessary position within the safety operation for the 2012 Olympics.
She was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in final month’s New Year Honours.
Source: information.sky.com”