Lauren Novak: They’re the ones we turn to in times of trouble: police should be held to higher standards
THEY protect us from violence and harassment so it’s unacceptable for police to display these same behaviours in the workforce, writes Lauren Novak.
THEY are the men and women in uniform to whom we turn when we are the victims of sexual harassment, violence or predatory behaviour.
But an independent report has found these behaviours are rife within the SA Police force.
A survey of almost 2000 officers and other staff has found a third have experienced sexual harassment and, alarmingly, senior police appear to be among the chief offenders.
Predatory behaviour by police in positions of authority was reported by almost half the respondents – well above the rate reported in the general population.
As Equal Opportunity Commissioner Niki Vincent put it: “We expect better from our police force.”
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has agreed that “on one hand ... (police) should be held to a higher standard”.
“It is fair for people to make that conclusion that SA Police, with their role in protecting the community, should be doing that much more to protect its own people as well,” he told The Advertiser on Monday.
In the past, he has made the argument that SA Police must improve how they deal with victims of domestic violence – the vast majority of whom are women – if the force is to gain the trust of the public. He faces the same problem here.
While thousands among the SA Police ranks are dedicated, compassionate public servants, how are victims of harassment, violence or predatory behaviour to feel sure that the officer who takes on their case does not hold the concerning attitudes identified in this disturbing report?
Dr Vincent has set out a blueprint of 38 recommendations to turn around the “boys’ club” culture but warns it will take years.
Social change – be it around the acceptability of smoking or bringing the brutality of family violence into the open – happens frustratingly slowly. This process will sadly be no different.
But the disgusting examples laid bare in Dr Vincent’s damning report cannot be ignored.
Mr Stevens has promised they will be heeded – and more will be encouraged to come forward.
The commissioner has taken a huge step in subjecting his staff to such scrutiny. But he has many more to go.
COMMENTS FROM SA POLICE EMPLOYEES
“I have met so many men in the job whose behaviours have been bad towards women, and the bosses were often involved in perpetuating this behaviour. There were no women in senior positions to speak to.”
“SAPOL is still a ‘boys’ club’ and many of the behaviours ... are learnt from other, mostly senior men. Women are still belittled and treated as ‘second class’.”
“There appears to be an expectation that as a female officer, you tolerate the harassment with clenched teeth and a smile and that, in fact, you should be flattered as it means you’ve been accepted and are part of the team.”
“I was hit on by many married men. From (my) first day, my boss made a comment full of sexual innuendo. I asked him one time at work ‘are you staring at my breasts?’ and he said ‘yes, I find it comforting’.”
“After one night shift, the team I was in thought it would be good to have pizza and a beer and watch porn on the big screen in the conference room. I was the only woman in the team. I felt like I’d be ostracised if I didn’t stay. I felt awful.”
“I feel a constant need to not be offended. I use words like c*** and d*** regularly to show that I don’t care and will not put in complaint.”
“To be part of the team, I needed to be more than my male counterparts — more dedicated, more hardworking, prove myself more, take less leave.”
“Women who do stand up against the lower-level sexual harassment behaviours, in particular, can be labelled as prudish or complainers. It’s a tightrope that women have to walk.”
“I have been (managing critical incidents) and had male colleagues arrive and say to me ‘grab us a coffee would you, darling?’.”
“It was common for male officers to rate a victim, or witnesses, for their attractiveness. They would also rate new policewomen coming into the team. This would happen in front of me and other women.”
“If a victim attended the police station and detailed to me the incidents I have just described, I would be strongly encouraging that person to pursue criminal charges.”
“I have been told by a male supervisor ... ‘I have a penis, you’re a woman, you ... will always be a sexual object to me’.”
“A new senior member started on our team. He would tell me things like ‘I want to impregnate you’. I started getting more and more text messages including comments about his penis.”
“There was an occasion where men on my team called me at home while they were away on a work trip to ask me about my breast size, which they had been speculating about together.”
“After a work barbecue at which we had all been drinking, a teammate ... had sex with me. I didn’t want to, but I was so affected by alcohol I couldn’t stop him. I have never consumed alcohol around any workmates from then onwards.”
“I have experienced being picked up by the back of my vest and paraded around by males seeking to prove how strong they are.”
“I am in a same-sex relationship. I have had a male colleague ask me (for a) threesome with him.”
Source: The Equal Opportunity Commission review into sexual harassment and discrimination in SA Police