Report finds bullying and harassment within NSW Police Force, after culture review prompted by ABC investigation

Bullying, 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.

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.

Commissioner Mal Lanyon vowed to overhaul the troubling culture in Australia’s largest police force, which he said was “unacceptable”.

The review found bullying was rife among the ranks, with 30 per cent of the more than 5,100 surveyed reporting they had been bullied at work in the past five years, leaving them “scared, belittled or humiliated”.

In the same period, 18 per cent said they had been verbally abused or threatened.

One interviewee said, “bullying is as much a part of this organisation as wearing a uniform”, according to the report.

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.

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.

“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.

NSW Police commissioner ‘committed’ to reform

Ms Hilton and her team made 29 recommendations for cultural change at NSW Police, including more diversity and accountability in leadership, recruitment changes, fair access to promotions and more mental health support.

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.

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”.

“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.

“I am committed to making that happen. I want this to be a workplace that people want to be in.”

Report reveals culture of silence

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.

“It’s clearly unacceptable, I think that’s the easiest thing for me to say … that type of behaviour is unacceptable, can be criminal,” Commissioner Lanyon said.

“I need to, through our leadership, make sure we create an environment where people feel comfortable to come forward.

“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.”

Another common theme among the employees who participated in the review was the culture of silence and retaliation for those who reported harmful behaviour.

“Those who speak up risk being targeted, denied promotions, or having workplace benefits and opportunities withdrawn,” the report said.

Ms Hilton said she believed more “trusted leadership” at NSW Police was vital in creating an environment where employees felt comfortable to report harmful behaviour.

“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.

“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.”

The review also found a widespread culture of “serious stigma” when it comes to officers seeking mental health support, with employees reluctant to get help out of fear of being labelled “damaged goods”.

Commissioner’s hopes for a better police culture

Commissioner Lanyon said he was “disappointed” officers felt unsupported to seek help.

“When I speak to our students at the academy, my strongest message to them is the only thing that will disappoint me is if you don’t put your hand up,” he said.

“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 … it is a difficult job.”

Last week, Four Corners revealed a series of disturbing cases of NSW Police brutality since 2020 amid a sharp rise in complaints and civil suits over the past decade.

Commissioner Lanyon said “any interaction that negatively impacts on a community member is something that I am not proud of”.

“By working on the findings of this report, working on greater leadership consistency, working on supportive culture, working on professionalism, obviously leads to better outcomes for the community and that’s my commitment,” he said.

Among the recommendations aimed at boosting mental health support was the establishment of an in-house critical incident support unit with qualified psychologists and resources to service officers across the state.

Commissioner Lanyon said while all the recommendations had been accepted, many would take time to implement.

Ms Hilton said she believed there would be “significant change ahead” as long as there was “independent oversight of the progress of those recommendations”.

“The fact that they have accepted all of the recommendations gives me great confidence and hope and there will now be a process of implementing those recommendations,” she said.

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