Police chief suffers ‘sexist and homophobic’ abuse from trolls
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said ‘it isn’t acceptable and it’s happening too often.’
The Metropolitan Police’s top cop has slammed trolls for targeting a newly appointed chief with abusive online comments.
It was announced on Friday that Commander Karen Findlay will be taking up the post of Assistant Chief Constable with the British Transport Police (BTP).
Shortly after the news was posted on X, Findlay was targeted by a torrent of anonymous accounts posting abusive content.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in a statement earlier today: ‘I am angry. My colleagues are angry. It isn’t acceptable and it’s happening too often.
‘This is a huge professional achievement for Karen and anyone who knows her or who has worked with her will recognise how well-deserved it is.
‘While she has rightly received many congratulations, the X post announcing her appointment has also been targeted by online trolls, many anonymous, making horrendous personal sexist and homophobic comments.
‘The intensity of the racist, sexist, and homophobic abuse directed at police officers on social media is increasing alarmingly. At a time when we need to attract officers from under-represented parts of our communities this is hugely damaging.’
Rowley added that in recent weeks, many officers of Eastern European descent or who have a Muslim background have also been targeted to such abuse.
He said: ‘Police officers accept that their actions on duty will be scrutinised, sometimes in a very public way.
‘But it is wholly unacceptable that those whose profession is to protect and serve others increasingly face such intrusive, vile and hateful abuse.
‘We will offer Karen the support she needs. We will do the same for those other officers who have been targeted. But I urge people on social media to reflect on their actions.
‘My colleagues deserve better.’
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