Figures show 'alarming' scale of gender and race disparity among Police Scotland officers

Figures that show male police officers outnumber female police officers by more than two-to-one in Scotland have been described as “alarming” by a leading union.

Statistics released by Police Scotland in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that, as of March 31 this year, just 5,702 female officers are employed by the force.

By comparison, Police Scotland employs 11,984 male officers.

The disparity is even more significant among senior officers.

Statistics released by Police Scotland in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that, as of March 31 this year, just 5,702 female officers are employed by the force.

While men make up 66 per cent of constables, the lowest rank in the police force, that figure rises to 73 per cent among officers with the rank of sergeant or higher.

In 2015, however, that percentage was 79 per cent.

The news comes after Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor admitted the force needed to “relentlessly improve” its workforce diversity earlier this year.

The figures, released during Black History Month, also revealed significant racial disparity in Police Scotland staffing levels.

The figures, released during Black History Month, also revealed significant racial disparity in Police Scotland staffing levels.

According to data from the last census, taken in 2011, four per cent of Scotland’s population is black and minority ethnic (BME).

But BME officers only make up around one per cent of Police Scotland’s staff, according to the latest figures.

In the force’s North region, where 90 per cent (2,447) of officers are white, just 22 officers - less than one per cent - are BME.

Ethnicity data was not collected from eight per cent of officers in the region.

The racial disparity is least pronounced in Police Scotland’s West region, where the 113 BME officers represent two per cent of the workforce - compared with 5,479 white officers.

Gillian Bannatyne, regional organiser for police staff at UNISON described the figures as “alarming” but “not a surprise” to the union’s members.

“We regularly challenge Police Scotland on the gender pay gap, their use of equality impact assessments and the opportunities for women to progress their career,” she said.

“While there have been improvements, Police Scotland clearly have a long way to go in attaining gender balance particularly in senior roles.

“It is important that the entire police force - officers and civilian staff – reflect the communities they serve. It builds trust and understanding.”

Addressing the Scottish Policing Authority Board in August, Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said the force needed to “relentlessly improve” its workforce diversity.

"The Chief Constable has been clear that policing obtains its legitimacy from our fellow citizens and the communities we serve.

"We know to maintain and build that relationship of trust that’s been forged between the police and the public, we must relentlessly improve how we reflect and represent our communities.

"Therefore, it is essential that we better understand the diversity within our workforce and constantly strive to improve it.

"It is important to recognise progress that has been made, and the proportion of our officers who are female has increased both overall and in senior ranks since the inception of Police Scotland.

"We are also seeing encouraging improvement in the gender split of recruitment intakes, which will, in time, continue to improve the overall balance of our workforce profile.”

DCC Taylor insisted that the force was “not complacent”, adding that "a dedicated team to increase the diversity of candidates applying to Police Scotland, including from BME backgrounds, was established in 2017.”

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