Ex-firearms officer Rebecca Kalam wins sex discrimination payout

Rebecca Kalam said she had loved her role and had hoped to change the discriminatory culture from within

A former firearms officer has been awarded more than £820,000 after winning a sex discrimination case against West Midlands Police.

Rebecca Kalam was awarded £30,000 at an employment tribunal in November, but has now had a full payout for loss of earnings and her pension.

She said it had been her dream to one day become chief constable.

The force's Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green apologised for the "significant impact" she experienced.

"I am sorry that more was not done sooner to address the serious issues raised by Mrs Kalam and I apologise for the significant impact that these have had on her which has been highlighted during the tribunal," he said.

The tribunal heard that on one occasion she was stripped down to her underwear during a training exercise.

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

Det Insp Kalam joined the Firearms Operation Unit in July 2012

Mrs Kalam successfully sued the force for harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation, to win a total of £820,720.

The West Midlands force has now confirmed three serving firearms officers are currently suspended and 10 are in the disciplinary process.

In a statement following the original tribunal, Mrs Kalam said: "I had the ambition and drive to progress to the senior ranks, up to chief constable, and I was on track to do so."

She said she had loved her position and added: "One of the reasons I stayed on in the department was to try and change the culture from the inside."

The decision to award her compensation for loss of earnings and pension was the "unanimous decision of the tribunal panel".

Paul Odle, from Metropolitan Police Federation, said the organisation had been supporting Mrs Kalam

The West Midlands force has not said how much it has spent on legal fees fighting the case that was brought by Mrs Kalam.

Paul Odle, from Metropolitan Police Federation which has been supporting her, said: "If we can't even protect your own from inside the organisation, how can we basically, frankly, be honest and protect the public if that's how we behave internally?"

In a statement, West Midlands Police said many of the issues date back to 2012 and in the past two years the firearms department under new leadership had worked hard to improve culture, standards and the working environment.

"There is no place in policing for misogynistic, discriminatory or disrespectful behaviour and much progress has been made to set and reinforce the highest standards of conduct and professionalism," DCC Green said.

He added that the tribunal recognised the force had taken the grievance and disciplinary matters raised by Mrs Kalam seriously and it continued "to make progress to ensure that we are trusted by the public as we go about our duty to protect them".