In an article by Jessica North for The Scottish Daily Mail, police officers have voiced concerns over Police Scotland’s LGBT policies, specifically the ‘Transitioning at Work’ policy. This policy has caused fears among officers that they could face disciplinary action for any breaches. An internal memo, linked to Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, instructs that any transgender employee must be supported to work in their chosen gender, leading to concerns about the end of single-sex bathrooms and changing rooms.
An anonymous officer revealed that disclosing a colleague’s transgender status could result in a gross misconduct hearing, creating a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech and internal discussion regarding gender identity issues within the force. This parallels the case of ex-police officer Harry Miller, who successfully challenged a policy on recording gender-critical views as non-crime “hate incidents.”
Former Scottish Police Federation chief Calum Steele criticized the self-ID policy as ethically, morally, and legally wrong. He argued that the policy disregards the EHRC 2023 guidance and emerging case law, accusing Police Scotland of being out of touch and overly dogmatic. Steele condemned the threats of misconduct against officers, viewing them as a sign of the policy’s flawed foundation.
The article also notes that Police Scotland is one of the few emergency services to pay officers for participating in gay pride parades, a move seen as controversial by some. The Scottish Police Federation union warned that this could set a dangerous precedent.
A Police Scotland spokesman defended the policy, emphasizing the need for an inclusive and fair working environment and compliance with GDPR and conduct regulations.
Source: Jessica North, The Scottish Daily Mail.
Source: https://zapier.com/
Original title: Police Scotland's Controversial LGBT Policies Spark Disciplinary Concerns
Author: Ralph Hawthorn