Two female firearms officers won sex discrimination case as guns too big for smaller hands
TWO firearms officers who won a sex discrimination case because their guns were too big for their hands were humiliated when they returned to work, it was claimed yesterday.
Firearms officer Rachel Giles leaves the London tribunal yesterday
Victoria Wheatley and Rachel Giles were given menial jobs leaving them “completely belittled”.
Both are on sick leave from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary due to stress.
Last year, they won their case on the grounds their issued Glock 17 pistols were too large and their pleas for smaller weapons were ignored.
They said poor shooting scores meant their reputations were damaged – and low scores could result in an “unsatisfactory” assessment and dismissal.
The officers are getting lower pay while off sick.
Ms Wheatley alleged it was a bid to “starve her back to work”.
She said: “This caused me a great deal of stress and anxiety.
The force is making me choose between my mental health and paying bills
"The force is making me choose between my mental health and paying bills.
"It has behaved in a vicious manner to intimidate.”
The Central London Employment Tribunal was told Ms Giles suffered a “depressive illness” from stress and the delay in resolving the case had exacerbated her poor health.
The officers felt the CNC’s attitude had not changed despite their victory in the sex discrimination case.
Psychiatrist Dr Stephen Tyrer of the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, said: “They were hoping for change but nothing happened.”
They have rejected an offer to retake the shooting test with smaller guns and want compensation.
They had served guarding nuclear plants – Ms Wheatley at Sellafield, Cumbria, and Ms Giles at Chapelcross, Dumfriesshire.
During the case, they also said police protective gear was too big and a resting place for firearms was too high, having been designed for male officers.
The hearing continues.