UK police officer wins sex discrimination case alleging male officers forced her to strip during training

Rebecca Kalam, a former firearms officer, has been granted a substantial £820,000 following her successful sex discrimination case against West Midlands Police. Kalam, initially celebrated as the “poster girl” for the force’s firearms unit in 2012, faced discriminatory hurdles during her tenure. During an employment tribunal, it was revealed that Kalam was coerced into a photo shoot while five months pregnant in 2016 and informed that she couldn’t pass the training course unless she complied. Complaints also surfaced about male officers engaging in offensive behavior, such as drawing explicit images on notice boards and using misogynistic language. The tribunal disclosed an incident during a training exercise in March 2012 when Kalam, compelled to strip down to her underwear, was subjected to a male trainer placing his foot on her neck while doing press-ups, accompanied by a derogatory remark: “Just because you have tits does not mean you cannot do a press up.” In November, she received £3,000 for winning claims of harassment, sex discrimination, and victimization. The compensation, totaling £820,720, includes remuneration for loss of earnings and her pension, making it one of the most substantial payouts in cases of this nature. In response, West Midlands Police’s deputy chief constable, Scott Green, issued an apology for the delay in addressing the issues raised by Kalam, acknowledging the profound impact on her well-being. Green emphasized efforts made over the past two years to enhance the organizational culture, standards, and working environment. He stated, “There is no place in policing for misogynistic, discriminatory, or disrespectful behavior,” highlighting ongoing progress in setting and reinforcing high standards of conduct and professionalism. Acknowledging past shortcomings, Green assured that female firearms officers now receive appropriate personal protective equipment tailored to their needs, including ballistic body armor. Additional measures involve the procurement of female-specific uniform and equipment, with female officers actively participating in the evaluation and testing of new gear.