The quote that especially sticks was one about managing a young family – I was told: “They need to choose if they want to be a mother or a police officer.” The calls went on into the evening to my home. I pointed out this was against policy, and discriminatory against women, but was told that the Chief Superintendent would be “furious” unless I complied. When I was tasked to review part-time working of officers, HR told me that only those who worked full hours were wanted.

On too many occasions I was a lone voice speaking out about language, actions and lack of concern, as others chose to keep their heads down and ignore what was going on in order to protect themselves. My career in the police became about survival – and making a difference for those who came after me. When I raised wrongdoing by senior officers (in an unrelated case) I was investigated, when I challenged my manager for his refusal to support part-time working for carers, I was threatened that it would hurt my career. It wasn’t the first time I was saying something that the then management team did not want to hear. I expected to be called to her office later to discuss my outburst. Yet to my surprise, Cressida Dick just turned her back on me and walked off. I was angry with what I saw as the failings of the Met to protect women, both inside and outside of the policing family, so I raised the issue with my then-Commissioner, Cressida Dick.Īngrily – and in front of another colleague – I told her that she had taken the Met Police backwards, to the time before the Macpherson report (into the Met’s handling of the murder of Stephen Lawrence), and the recommendations it had laid out.Īdmittedly, I lost my temper. My disappointment culminated in the summer of 2019. But over the course of my 30-year career, my energy and enthusiasm were broken down as I faced sexism and racism. When I originally joined the force in 1989, I wanted to make a difference in the community and deal with criminals. If they’re taken seriously, I believe this could be a watershed moment for policing. When Baroness Louise Casey’s report on the toxic culture of the Metropolitan Police was published, pointing to the racism and sexism on an “institutional” scale, my initial reaction was one of vindication.Īs a former Chief Superintendent in the Met, I admit I am pleased with how strong the findings of this report are.

Parm sandhu black and blue