Racist and discriminatory

Livingstone says its failures must be noted and prejudiced officers removed. First Minister Yousaf calls for change and says he was stopped & searched often

- MARCELLO MEGA

POLICE Scotland's Chief Constable has branded his own force "institutionally racist" and called for prejudiced officers to be driven from their jobs.

Sir Iain Livingstone also acknowledged that sexism, misogyny and discrimination are a part of the force today.

His blunt assessment, which came as he called for biases to be challenged "at every level", was welcomed by First Minister Humza Yousaf who demanded that Police Scotland must "dismantle" racism within it.

Livingstone, who will have been Chief Constable for almost six of its 10 years by the time he retires in August, spoke yesterday at the Scottish Police Authority.

He told fellow officers: "It is right for me, the right thing for me to do as Chief Constable, to clearly state that institutional racism, sexism, misogyny and discrimination exist.

"Police Scotland is institutionally racist and discriminatory." Livingstone said he had made a commitment that his force would crack down on racism at the start of a public inquiry being held into the death of Sheku Bayoh, a black man who died in police custody in May 2015.

He added that it had been "a commitment to the people of Scotland" and "to Sheku Bayoh's family and loved ones".

Livingstone added: "The onus is on us, the police service, to address gaps and challenge bias, known or unwitting, at every level, wherever bias occurs, to maintain and build confidence with all communities." He also demanded that his force tackles sexism and homophobia within the ranks.

He said: "Prejudice and bad behaviour within policing, as highlighted by court and conduct cases, various independent reviews and by listening to our own officers and staff over recent years, is rightly of great concern and is utterly condemned.

"There is no place in Police Scotland for those who reject our values and standards.