Firearms Unit

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By Shehnaz KhanBBC News, West Midlands

A firearms officer awarded £30,000 after she was stripped down to her underwear during a training exercise said she felt " vindicated" by the decision.

Rebecca Kalam received the payout after an employment tribunal heard she was subjected to sexist and derogatory language at West Midlands Police.

She successfully sued for harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation.

West Midlands Police said it was considering The Judgement findings.

A further claim for future loss of earnings and pensions will be decided in January.

In an exclusive statement to The Bbc , Mrs Kalam said she was " saddened" the harassment, discrimination, victimisation and bullying she had experienced had not remained an " isolated experience".

" Only now have West Midlands Police accepted full liability for their many, many failures, yet there remains no clear cultural change or protection for its female officers, " She Said .

A former detective inspector, Mrs Kalam worked at The Force from September 2008 and joined the Firearms Operation Unit in 2012, before medically retiring In July 2023.

The tribunal in Birmingham heard how in March 2012, she was required to act as a " stooge" in a mock training exercise by having her clothes cut off so First Aid could be given.

She Said she had felt " extremely uncomfortable" during the scenario, based on a bullet hole at The Top of her left breast, which officers would have to treat.

'Poster Girl '

She claimed on another occasion a male officer pushed her down with his foot on the back of neck whilst she was doing press-ups, before telling her having breasts " does not mean you cannot do a press-up".

The tribunal heard The Force failed to provide her with suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including ballistic body armour or a handgun with an " easy trigger pull" like male officers.

The Officer was also made the " Poster Girl " for the Firearms Unit and required to undergo a photoshoot when five months pregnant in April 2016, the tribunal heard.

Last week, employment judge Christopher Camp said Mrs Kalam had also suffered " significant psychiatric injury" which has left her too unwell to work.

Judge Camp said admitted wrongs had resulted in a " relatively young" and " ambitious" women having been " rendered unable to work for The Police again for the foreseeable future".

Mrs Kalam told The Bbc " extraordinary people" were " let down" by managers, senior leadership and a " litany" of " flawed" disciplinary processes and encouraged officers to challenge the behaviour of their peers.

" I would like to express my sincere appreciation To My witnesses and supporters for their immense courage, much at The Risk and detriment to their own careers, " she added.

It was also said that Mrs Kalam, whose husband is a detective sergeant with The Force , would have made the rank of superintendent had she not been subjected to discrimination and victimisation.

Her claim for aggravated damages was dismissed but she was awarded compensation of £30,000 for injury to feelings.

She was previously awarded £3,000 for physical injuries she sustained as a result of unsuitable PPE, including two second-degree burns.

At The Time she was one of only seven female firearms officers in The Unit , which included up to 250 men.

Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green said he was " sorry that more was not done sooner" to address the " serious concerns" Mrs Kalam had raised.

He Said staff at the Firearms Unit had worked hard to improve the culture and standards and had made " significant progress" in The Past two years, with all female officers issued with specific uniform and equipment.

" There is No Place for misogynistic, discriminatory or disrespectful behaviour in policing and We Are working hard to set and reinforce the highest professional standards, " He Said .

" These important steps are helping us to attract and retain The Best and most diverse people in firearms policing, and benefit those already working in this critical area and The Public they serve. "

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Source of news: bbc.com