Lizzie Jones, a police officer, reveals her experiences with misogyny in the force, highlighting a troubling culture within the Metropolitan Police.
London: Lizzie Jones, a police officer, has bravely opened up about the misogyny she faced while serving in the Metropolitan Police. She joined the force in 2006, hoping to protect the public, especially women and girls. But from day one, she found herself navigating a sexist culture.
Jones recalls how her colleagues would openly rate women’s attractiveness, making it clear that such behavior was the norm. It was disheartening to see that even her superiors were part of this toxic environment.
One incident stands out. While working alone at a custody suite, she reached out to her boss, Detective Sergeant James Mason, for help. Instead of assistance, he made a comment about doing anything for an attractive officer. It was a moment that made her realize how deeply ingrained the sexism was.
At the time, she didn’t challenge the behavior. She felt conditioned to accept it as normal, even though it was anything but. Mason’s predatory behavior continued unchecked, and he eventually rose through the ranks despite his misconduct.
Things took a turn when Kristina O’Connor, a crime victim, reported Mason’s inappropriate advances after he was assigned to her case. Instead of focusing on her attackers, he pursued her, sending her inappropriate emails. This behavior finally caught up with him, but the consequences were minimal.
Jones, now a district commander, was outraged when Mason’s actions were downplayed as isolated incidents. She felt compelled to speak out, believing it was crucial for the truth to be known. She reported Mason’s behavior to the Met, but when she didn’t hear back, she took matters into her own hands and contacted O’Connor’s legal team directly.
She knew this could jeopardize her career, but she felt it was necessary. The situation led to a court hearing in October 2023, where the Met admitted to mishandling the information. Jones suspects it was a deliberate cover-up, raising serious questions about accountability within the force.
As the fight against misogyny continues, Jones emphasizes the need for real change. She believes it’s time to take the recommendations from previous reports seriously and confront uncomfortable truths instead of sweeping them under the rug.
While Mason declined to comment, the Metropolitan Police acknowledged his behavior was unacceptable and stated they are committed to reforming their practices. The National Police Chiefs’ Council echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of holding officers to high standards.
