Former Chief Constable "shocked" at police sexism

The former chief constable of Northumbria police has told 5 Live Daily she was "shocked" when an official report mentioned sexist behaviour towards her from senior police officers.

Sue Sim led the hunt for on the run killer Raoul Moat. She retired last month, having been cleared of misconduct charges in relation to how she dealt with some staff.

Mrs Sim says the formal report into her alleged misconduct revealed she was treated differently by some senior officers, simply because she was a woman. She also describes elements of policing as "rather old fashioned" saying some senior officers expected to maintain posts until they retired, regardless of their performance.

A Northumbrian Police spokesperson said:"It is disappointing and a real shame that Mrs Sim has chosen to express these views and to do so in this way. We do not accept the criticism that she has directed at Northumbria Police, an organisation that she personally was in command of for five years".

"Our priority is to move forward and deliver the best service we can to our communities and make the organisation one which we can all be proud of. It is to these ends that our efforts and energies should be directed."

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