Police chief reveals 'sexist and homophobic’ abuse over hairstyle in TV appearances

Deputy chief constable Rachel Swann expressed shock that her “mere existence could cause such a depth of feeling”

(PA)

A senior police officer who led the evacuation of Whaley Bridge in August has spoken of how she quit Twitter after experiencing “sexist and homophobic” harassment over her hairstyle.

Deputy chief constable Rachel Swann of Derbyshire Constabulary appeared in the media several times during the major incident when severe damage to Toddbrook Reservoir led to the evacuation of around 1,500 people from nearby towns.

Following media coverage, Swann began to receive online abuse for her appearance, with people criticising the way she looked in a sexist and homophobic way.

As a consequence, the police chief made to decision to quit social media, expressing shock that her “mere existence could cause such a depth of feeling“.

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Swann said: ”Yes, I am a woman. Yes, I might have a slightly different hairstyle. Yes, I am quite small.

“I can take a bit of banter but then it became sexist and homophobic, and really, really insulting,” she said.

Swann added that the comments were reflective of a wider problem with social media that some users suffered daily.

She added that the abusive comments had been recorded as a hate incident “in the same way it would be for the public or my officers and staff”.

Swann said that it was attacks on her ability as an officer that stung the most, with some people criticising her standard issue police uniform.

”The bit that really hurt was when people said I had no standards and I was letting policing down.

“They were saying, 'she's not wearing a hat'. Often we would get advised not to wear hats - you can see our eyes, so you can gain trust,” she said.

One comment said: ”Is that what a senior police officer looks likely [sic] these days??“

Others were keen to defend the senior officer, including the leader of Derbyshire County Council, Barry Lewis: ”Be under no doubt, she saved a valley....that's what's important”, he said.

Despite the abuse, Swann hoped her presence in national media reflected the growing diversity within the force.

“In a funny sort of way I made my stand without meaning to.

“If some good comes out of that that's fine, it doesn't mean that it didn't hurt, it doesn't mean that it didn't upset me,” she said.