Grassroots police officers have launched a gender-critical network to push back against forces they are concerned have adopted self-ID policies not recognised in law.
The serving officers have launched the Police Sex Equality and Equity Network, accusing the service of ‘actions that embed gender ideology’ within forces nationwide.
They called on bodies representing both rank and file officers, as well as chief constables, to recognise lobby groups and activists within policing in England and Wales had created a ‘culture of fear’ among those holding gender-critical views.
The group said by focusing on gender issues, police forces risked undermining public confidence.
Police SEEN have said the group intends to emulate the civil service network, which was established ‘to re-focus attention on improving equality and equity between women and men’.
The group said in a statement: ‘Police SEEN warns that the influence of lobby groups and activists within UK policing has created a culture of fear which prevents officers and staff who believe there are two sexes and that sex is real and immutable, from speaking out, for fear of disciplinary action.
Serving officers have launched the Police Sex Equality and Equity Network, accusing the service of ‘actions that embed gender ideology’ within forces nationwide (Stock image of two police officers on duty)
‘They believe a formal internal network is desperately needed, not only to provide a voice and support for those who want to ensure the law is upheld, but also to restore political impartiality to policing.’
Examples cited by the group of gender ideology in the police service include recent guidance that would allow trans-officers to strip search people of the opposite biological sex.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council, which published the guidance, was forced to retract it and conduct a ‘thorough’ review, following an outcry and concern from the Government.
It would have seen officers who have transitioned ‘search persons of the same gender as their own lived gender’.
The group also accused police forces of routinely recording crime data based on gender self-ID, rather than biological sex, including in reports of rape – an offence which can only be committed by a man.
The National Police Chiefs Council, the Superintendents’ Association and the Police Federation, were all asked to support the new group, Police SEEN said.
Charlotte Cadden, a Detective Chief Inspector with Greater Manchester Police said: ‘We feel that this network is long overdue and it is not just needed now, it is absolutely imperative that it is set up.
‘We know personally of serving officers and staff who have been referred for disciplinary action for merely expressing a view that sex is real and that they don’t subscribe to a belief in gender ideology.
‘Many officers and staff have also been warned to keep quiet or their careers will be harmed or even ended.
‘While we have respect for those whose views differ from our own, and their right to express those views, for the sake of public trust and confidence in our policing service, we have to ensure that there is a space where officers and staff know that sex realist views will also be respected and not subject to cancellation or harassment.
‘We cannot sit back and do nothing; we feel that public confidence is being lost as a result of very clear mistakes that are being made.’
Examples cited by the group of gender ideology in the police service include recent guidance that would allow trans-officers to strip search people of the opposite biological sex (Stock image)
Under current laws, people who want to change legal sex must provide a medical report showing a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
The NHS defines this as a ‘sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity’.
They must also provide evidence of living full time in their gender for at least two years – campaigners claim the requirement is excessively bureaucratic and invasive.
The announcement was hailed by women’s rights groups, who called the launch ‘a vital first step’.
Cathy Larkman, of the Women’s Rights Network called on police chiefs to take notice and protect their officers from discrimination.
Ms Larkman, a former police superintendent, said: ‘Policing aspires to be without fear or favour and it has been very sad to see that ideal fail so spectacularly on so many occasions, with the attendant loss of public trust and confidence.
‘We hope that this is a vital first step in regaining that trust and that more officers will join them.
‘We have spoken to police officers and staff ourselves on many occasions. We know that there are real fears about challenging any aspect of gender ideology in the service, and that there have been instances of officers and staff being warned to remain silent, or even referred for disciplinary interventions if they challenge the prevailing narrative that places ideology over and above the law.
‘Self ID is not the law in this country.
‘We know that these police officers and staff represent the overwhelming majority view of the police service, who want to do their jobs properly and provide excellent public service.
‘It is high time for those police officers and staff who believe that there are two sexes and that sex is immutable, to have a voice within the policing service and for that to have as much recognition and support from their leaders as other internal police networks do.
‘Given the growing number of tribunal successes for women who have been unfairly discriminated against for their views, police chiefs would be well advised to support them.’
A recent interim report of His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary into activism and impartiality in policing highlighted ‘a lack of clarity in how police forces understand and interpret this evolving legal framework’.
It read: ‘There is a lack of clarity in how police forces understand and interpret this evolving legal framework. In particular, this is seen in the contested areas of: sex and gender reassignment; what constitutes a genuinely held belief; and when such beliefs are themselves protected under the Act. Without greater clarity, there is a risk that officers and staff may make the wrong decisions and, in so doing, undermine public trust and confidence.’
The NPCC, Police Federation and Superintendents’ Association all declined to comment.