Two Police Scotland firearms officers who were discriminated against on the basis of sex have been awarded around £50,000
Constables Steven Jones and Greg Tunnock both had their firearms authorisations withdrawn in August 2024 after posing for pictures with the radio presenter Tallia Storm.
Video of the officers engaging with Ms Storm were later shared on social media.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie decided their behaviour could appear sexist and ordered their removal from the Firearms Unit but did not follow standard operating procedure, which he had not read.
However a tribunal found there was “nothing which could reasonably be perceived as sexist or misogynistic in the claimants’ interaction with Ms Storm, who had welcomed and been delighted with the engagement with the officers.
On 13 March 2024, the Professional Standards Department (PSD) concluded that both claimants were guilty of discreditable conduct.
The Tribunal heard both officers, based at Fettes in Edinburgh, had previously been “highly regarded” by line managers, winning awards and commendations during their service, and had no disciplinary records.
It also heard it had been the intention of the officers to provide the photograph to the police communications department as an example of them engaging positively with the public.
The tribunal subsequently held that both the withdrawal of firearms status and the forced transfers amounted to unlawful sex discrimination.
The judgment noted the significant damage to the officers’ mental health, reputations, and career prospects.
It concluded Mr Ritchie “was not willing to review the decision he had previously made and did not want the officers in OSD (Operational Services Department)”.
This was “inextricably linked to the sex of the claimants” and his efforts to “make an example out of them because they were male officers”, which “amounted to direct discrimination”.
PC Jones was awarded compensation of £24,800.59 made up of £2,646.59 for loss of income, injury to feelings of £20,000 and interest of £2,154.
PC Tunnock received compensation of £23,824.56, £1,670.56 for loss of income, comepnsation for injury to feelings of £20,000 and interest of £2,154.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are grateful to the employment tribunal panel for hearing the evidence in this case and for delivering their judgment.
“It is important that we now carefully consider the judgment to gather any learning and areas of improvement before commenting further.”
