Background

On the 4th October 2021 an Employment Tribunal (ET) found that the Claimant had been victimised under Section 27 of the Equality Act 2010 between 2018 and 2020.

The evidence presented to the court identified:

a culture of sexism within the Armed Policing Unit;
a failure by Police Scotland to follow Standard Operating Procedures; and
breaches of standards of professional behaviour.

Police Scotland thereafter formally commissioned the Police Service of Northern Ireland to review the ET Judgement and make any recommendations on its content which would require action on the part of Police Scotland in relation to performance, conduct or culture.

The PSNI considered the ET Judgement and undertook an independent review to:

analyse the conduct of named officers and members of police staff;
determine whether the conduct of each was in accordance with Police Scotland’s processes and procedures, and learnings from each of these; and
identify themes and areas of learning arising from the judgement.

The final report on the findings was provided to Police Scotland in May 2022.

Police Scotland introduced an Operation Fustic Strategic Oversight Group to:

co-ordinate and deliver a robust, effective and proportionate response to the findings of the Employment Tribunal Judgement
identify the learning surrounding Employment Tribunals, specifically preparation, representation and support of officers and staff involved in same
provide accountability and governance over the implementation of recommendations and learning
ensure appropriate standards of investigation
provide welfare support to those involved