Women
in certain parts of the Metropolitan Police experience practices “tantamount to
misogyny”, the force’s deputy commissioner has admitted at a public inquiry.
Ian
Blair, speaking at the Morris Inquiry into professional standards and
employment matters at the Met, said that while there were “pockets of
excellence” in promoting flexible working for women, there were also “pockets
of what is tantamount to misogyny”.
Blair
admitted that he originally “did not know this was going on" because he
did not ask the right questions or have the right information.
Officers
at the hearing said the Met does “everything in its power” to get rid of
officers who have “issues” concerning factors such as disabilities or
childcare.
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To
improve the situation, the Met needs a centre of excellence for part-time
working, and has to define which jobs and roles are suitable for flexible
hours, Blair said.
