A former firearms officer has been awarded a reported £820,000 after winning a sex discrimination case against West Midlands Police.
Rebecca Kalam was made the “poster girl” for the force’s firearms unit in 2012 and told she could not pass the training course unless she agreed, an employment tribunal heard.
She was also required to pose for a photo shoot when she was five months pregnant in 2016 and complained of male officers drawing images of genitals on notice boards around the police station and using misogynistic language.
The tribunal heard that during training exercises in March 2012, Mrs Kalam had to strip down to her underwear and, while doing press-ups, a male trainer put his foot on the back of her neck and said: “Just because you have tits does not mean you cannot do a press up.”
She was awarded £3,000 at an employment tribunal in November after winning claims of harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation.
Some of the claims related to West Midlands Police’s failure to provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), including ballistic body armour.
Mrs Kalam has now been awarded a reported total of £820,720 for loss of earnings and her pension in what is believed to be one of the largest payouts of its kind.
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In a statement, West Midlands Police’s deputy chief constable, Scott Green, said: “I am sorry that more was not done sooner to address the serious issues raised by Mrs Kalam and I apologise for the significant impact that these have had on her which has been highlighted during the tribunal.”
He said many of the issues dated back to when Mrs Kalam joined the firearms unit in 2012 and that officers and staff have “worked hard to improve culture, standards and the working environment” over the past two years.
“There is no place in policing for misogynistic, discriminatory or disrespectful behaviour and much progress has been made to set and reinforce the highest standards of conduct and professionalism,” the statement continued.
“All female firearms officers have been issued with equipment specific to their individual needs, including formed ballistic protection.
“We have also introduced new arrangements to procure female specific uniform and equipment, and female firearms officers are now involved in trialling and assessing new uniform and equipment.”
