Comment on Sir Iain Livingstone’s statement that Police Scotland is institutionally racist.

Deputy branch secretary of UNISON Scotland police staff branch, David Malcolm said: “There is no place in policing, or in Scotland, for racism. Sir Iain Livingstone’s public acknowledgement that Police Scotland is institutionally racist means they must now take firm and immediate action to become an anti-racist service and champion equality.

UNISON stand ready to work with Police Scotland to take the necessary steps. In 2023 UNISON is celebrating the Year of Black Workers to campaign for lasting change in workplaces and communities across Scotland. We look forward to working with Sir Iain to end racism in our police service.”

Notes to editor.
UNISON is the union for police staff. Our members include: 999 call takers, emergency dispatchers, scenes of crime officers, custody officers, financial investigators, crime analysts, fingerprint experts, counter terrorism specialists, cyber-crime investigators, digital forensic staff, CCTV operators and many more roles.

UNISON is the Scotland’s largest union. Our 150,000 members work across public services – in local government, the NHS, education, police service, energy and water. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.