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<\/p>\nBullying, discrimination and sexual harassment are occurring at “unacceptable levels” within the NSW Police Force and employees are too afraid to speak up, an independent report has found.<\/p>\n
More than 18 months after the review into the force’s culture was launched in response to an ABC News investigation, which uncovered widespread allegations of bullying, harassment, discrimination and a dangerous lack of mental health support, its findings and recommendations have been released.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Mal Lanyon vowed to overhaul the troubling culture in Australia’s largest police force, which he said was “unacceptable”.<\/p>\n
The review found bullying was rife among the ranks, with 30 per cent of the more than 5,100 who participated reporting they had been bullied at work in the past five years, leaving them “scared, belittled or humiliated”.<\/p>\n
In the same period, 18 per cent said they had been verbally abused or threatened.<\/p>\n
One interviewee said, “bullying is as much a part of this organisation as wearing a uniform”, according to the report.<\/p>\n
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The review was launched in response to an ABC News investigation. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)<\/p>\n
A quarter of those surveyed also reported they had experienced discrimination in the past five years, with women, First Nations staff, people with disabilities, those who speak a language other than English and LGBTQI+ employees most commonly targeted.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Lanyon and former Victorian human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton, who led the independent review, sat down with ABC News ahead of the report’s release.<\/p>\n
“There are unacceptable levels of bullying and discrimination in the organisation, and that’s problematic for a number of reasons; the behaviour itself obviously, but also that people did not feel comfortable calling that out,” Ms Hilton said.<\/p>\n
Do you know more?<\/p>\n
If you have any information about a story, contact Lia Harris<\/a> or you can contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n NSW Police commissioner ‘committed’ to reform<\/p>\n Ms Hilton and her team made 29 recommendations for cultural change at NSW Police, including greater diversity and accountability in leadership, changes to recruitment, fair access to promotions, and more mental health support.<\/p>\n Many of the recommendations were aimed at reducing “harmful behaviours” and strengthening complaint processes, including involving the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission in reviewing how workplace behaviour matters are handled.<\/p>\n Kristen Hilton and her team made 29 recommendations for cultural change at NSW Police. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)<\/p>\n Commissioner Lanyon said he “accepted every single one” of the recommendations made in the report and admitted “we’ve got a long way to go”.<\/p>\n “I don’t think I was surprised [by the findings], I was probably disappointed by the level and certainly some of the individual experiences that I heard,” he said.<\/p>\n “It really does highlight to me that we’ve got a lot of work to do.<\/p>\n “I am committed to making that happen. I want this to be a workplace that people want to be in.”<\/p>\n Share your story about the culture in the NSW Police Force.<\/a><\/p>\n Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the government was taking the culture review “very seriously because it’s the right thing to do”.<\/p>\n “The implementation of the recommendations will be audited, we want to be transparent,” she said.<\/p>\n “That will be done through the audit and risk committee, which is separate to the NSW Police Force and is external.”<\/p>\n Ms Catley said implementing the recommendations would come from the force’s budget.<\/p>\n Report reveals culture of silence Mal Lanyon says bullying and harassment in the force is “unacceptable”. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)<\/p>\n Nine per cent of respondents said they had also experienced sexual harassment at NSW Police in the past five years, while a further 1 per cent reported being sexually assaulted during that period.<\/p>\n “It’s clearly unacceptable, I think that’s the easiest thing for me to say \u2026 that type of behaviour is unacceptable, can be criminal,” Commissioner Lanyon said.<\/p>\n “I need to, through our leadership, make sure we create an environment where people feel comfortable to come forward.<\/p>\n “I would encourage any person who has been sexually assaulted to report that matter. That’s a criminal matter; there is no excuse for that.”<\/p>\n If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0131 114Kids Helpline<\/a> on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue<\/a> on 1300 224 63613 YARN<\/a> on 13 92 76Suicide Call Back Service<\/a> on 1300 659 467MensLine Australia<\/a> on 1300 789 978Headspace<\/a> on 1800 650 890ReachOut<\/a>SANE <\/a>on 1800 187 263Call triple-0 if you need immediate care<\/p>\n Another common theme among the employees who participated in the review was the culture of silence and retaliation for those who reported harmful behaviour.<\/p>\n “Those who speak up risk being targeted, denied promotions, or having workplace benefits and opportunities withdrawn,” the report said.<\/p>\n “There is a very real fear of being bullied, isolated, or ostracised by colleagues and management.” The review also highlighted a culture of retaliation for those who reported harmful behaviour. (ABC News: ABC News: Adriane Reardon)<\/p>\n Ms Hilton said she believed more “trusted leadership” within NSW Police was vital to creating an environment where employees felt comfortable reporting harmful behaviour.<\/p>\n “It can be really difficult for junior officers to speak up against someone senior in their ranks. We’ve heard that, we’ve seen it, we’ve seen how it’s played out for people,” she said.<\/p>\n “Part of this is about making sure that the right people go into those leadership positions knowing they have to role model safe, respectful and inclusive behaviour.”<\/p>\n Read the full final report of the Independent Cultural Review into NSW Police Force.<\/a><\/p>\n Belief women ‘not suited for the policing’<\/p>\n The review also found a widespread culture of “serious stigma” when officers sought mental health support, with employees reluctant to get help out of fear of being labelled “damaged goods”.<\/p>\n According to the report, many women said there was still a belief in some parts of the organisation that “women are not suited to policing” and some officers “speak openly about not liking women on the force”.<\/p>\n Of those who reported being sexually harassed, almost half said that it involved “inappropriate physical contact” and 44 per cent said it involved touching, hugging, cornering or kissing.<\/p>\n Some reported that probationary officers had been targeted for sexual harassment by field training officers who were signing off on their training and performance.<\/p>\n Of those who reported being sexually assaulted, some continue to serve on the force, while others have left the organisation.<\/p>\n In one confidential interview, one employee said they did not make a complaint because it would be “career-ending”, while another said they did not report it because they “didn’t want to be seen as a woman who causes drama”.<\/p>\n Commissioner’s hopes for a better police culture Commissioner Lanyon is “disappointed” officers feel unsupported to seek help. (ABC News: Liam Patrick)<\/p>\n Commissioner Lanyon said he was “disappointed” that officers felt unsupported in seeking help.<\/p>\n “When I speak to our students at the academy, my strongest message to them is that the only thing that will disappoint me is if you don’t put your hand up,” he said.<\/p>\n “I want you to come forward if you need help. That is the ethos I want in this organisation, that is the culture I want \u2026 it is a difficult job.”<\/p>\n![\"Kristen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8c084f56ca538f92e8efdbde403cb89a.jpeg\")
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