Racist remarks ‘for fun’, young recruits humiliated and fake rape: England’s firefighters have themselves been accused of racism, sexism and homophobia in a report published a week after similar allegations against London police.
This report, released on Thursday evening, looked at the 44 fire brigades in England and documented sexist, racist and homophobic language and behavior under the guise of “joking” in 11 of them.
Roy Wilsher, author of the report, said he was “shocked and appalled” by the document’s findings. He called the industry a “boys club” and said firefighters “need to move into the 21st century.”
The report describes how racist slurs have been uttered “for fun”, how homophobic attacks have landed on a firefighter’s locker, and how women in the various brigades do not feel comfortable.
In particular, we learn how a firefighter who denounced racist language had his allegations questioned by his superiors, who threatened to “make his life hell.”
Three firefighters also told one of their colleagues that they “would rape her” before jokingly simulating a gang rape.
“Our findings show deeply disturbing acts of bullying and harassment in fire departments across the country – and I’m afraid that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” said Mr. Wilsher.
According to witnesses, the behavior persists and is not reported out of “fear of offside”.
This fire service report came ten days after another inquiry concluded that London police were “institutional” racist, misogynistic and homophobic.
The Met Police – the Metropolitan Police, the country’s largest police force with more than 43,000 officers and employees – is embroiled in a series of sex scandals and crimes that are fueling a serious crisis of confidence.