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09 August 2006
Top Tayside officer denies police bullying
A Tayside policeman, with over 20 years service, says there is a “culture of bullying” among commanding officers, writes Lynne Stewart.
The man, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, said there should be an investigation into the conduct of senior officers who gave evidence at the employment tribunal hearing won by PC Douglas Fisher.

He said, “The tribunal was not about solo patrols.

“It was about the attitude taken by senior officers towards PC Fisher because he had spoken out.

“That was held against him.”

However, Deputy Chief Constable Willie Bald said there was no evidence of a culture of bullying.

Inspector Chris White, chairman of Tayside branch of the Police Federation at the time, denied during the hearing that he intimidated or bullied PC Fisher after he discovered the constable was taking a petition round a number of stations.

The officer claimed Inspector White was allowed to retire early to “remove any blame”.

He added, “Mr Bald said in his statement that the judgment will not affect the style of policing.

“This tribunal wasn’t about the style of policing. It has gone beyond that.

“There should be at least some sort of inquiry.”

Asked for his feelings on solo patrols, the officer stated, “Tayside is the only force doing them. No other force is doing solo patrols.

He went on, “It’s the arrogance of Mr Bald saying if officers don’t like it (solo patrols) they can always leave. There is a culture of bullying.

“If you put your head above the parapet you will suffer consequences.

“It’s not just this tribunal. Officers have previously spoken out in the media about low morale and the shift system.”

Mr Bald said, “It is very easy for anonymous people to make a very generalised allegation, especially when they give no evidence. There is no evidence to suggest a culture of bullying exists.”

“I can only imagine that, given the anonymous police officer has chosen to go to the Press rather than opt for one of the various official options available to all members of staff who feel they are being bullied, that they are disaffected.

“Tayside Police has a strong Trade Union representation. Staff Associations and members of the Tayside Joint Police Board are always happy to listen to serving members of staff.

“In addition, Tayside Police encourages any employee who feels there has been any wrongdoing in the workplace to call Safecall, a totally independent organisation.

“Employees can also talk to any one of a group of volunteer fellow employees, who have been trained as harassment contact officers. It is therefore strange that a culture of bullying could exist without it being evident amongst senior members of staff.”