As per the new data released, around 750 sexual misconduct accusations have been made against the serving police officers in the United Kingdom from 2016 and 2020.
Most Complaints Filed Against Male Police Officers
The reports were obtained by the PA Media’s Radas service across 31 police forces. Following this, the reports indicated that most of the cases were filed against the male police officers.
A spokesperson said that each of the case reported against the police officers represents a betrayal of trust and confidence that people should have in the police. They said that this behaviour can never be justified or condoned.
Of the total numbers of the complaints registered in the past five years, at least 34 were dismissed. However, the BBC reported that some of the allegations could be historical in nature as well. And the responses did not indicate if the police officers were on duty at that time.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct informed that it was on the forces to “stamp out” any abuse of powers given to the police.
UK Home Secretary Pushes To Make Public Sexual Harassment A Crime; UK PM Overrules
The above reports come after the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson overruled Home Minister Priti Patel’s attempt to make public sexual harassment a crime. As per the report released by the Guardian, the differences between the two arose when Johnson said that the new laws on violence against women are “abundant”.
His statement led to a block on Patel’s public call for evidence to informed their new strategy to tackle violence against women. This would include all forms of violence in the public places.
An anonymous source informed the Guardian that the PM had “totally misjudged” the sentiments of the people and seems to have not understood the issue properly. However, Patel has the political capital behind the laws so they will make it happen.
