Former firearms officer awarded nearly £1 million by Police Scotland following employment tribunal
Rhona Malone has also received an apology from the Chief CXonstable
A former armed response officer who complained about sexism has agreed a settlement of nearly £1 million from Police Scotland, after she was found to have been victimised by an employment tribunal.
Rhona Malone's hearing was told there was a 'sexist' and 'absolute boys club' culture in the unit she was part of.
She took forward the claim after a senior police officer said he did not want to see two female armed officers deployed together when there were enough male officers available.
The employment tribunal upheld her claims of victimisation, however her claim of direct discrimination was dismissed.
As well as the payment of £947,909.07, Police Scotland's Chief Constable Iain Livingstone reiterated an apology.
Ms Malone and Police Scotland issued a joint statement announcing the settlement, following the tibunal's ruling in October.
It read: "The Chief Constable has provided a personal apology to Ms Malone for the serious issues highlighted in the Employment Tribunal judgment, including Police Scotland’s poor response when a dedicated and promising officer raised legitimate concerns.
"The Chief Constable also emphasised his personal commitment to leading change in policing in Scotland which drives equality and inclusion to improve the experiences of all women, including our own officers and staff. The Chief Constable reiterates this apology and commitment.
"In the days after the judgement was issued, the Chief Constable made a commitment to commission an external police service to carry out an independent review of the Employment Tribunal decision and make any recommendations which require action by Police Scotland whether they relate to performance, conduct, or culture. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is finalising that work."
Ms Malone was based at Fettes in Edinburgh between October 2016 taking absence from duties with work-related stress in June 2018.
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