Police Scotland faces scrutiny over gender identity policies

Police Scotland is facing criticism for how it handles gender identity in cases involving rapists. A think tank, Murray Blackburn Mackenzie (MBM), claims that the police have misled a parliamentary inquiry regarding their policies on recording the gender of individuals charged with rape or serious sexual assault. Last year, Chief Constable Jo Farrell assured the public that a man who commits rape would always be recorded as male. However, it has come to light that this information was not clearly communicated to police officers. This has led to accusations that Police Scotland misrepresented its practices over the past four years. The controversy emerged after the case of Adam Graham, who identified as Isla Bryson while awaiting trial for rape. Bryson was convicted and initially placed in a women's prison, leading to public outrage. He has since been moved to a men's prison. In response to the criticisms, Police Scotland stated that their current position aligns with a policy from 2019, which allows individuals to self-identify their gender without needing proof. Critics, including Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Tess White, have called for clarity in police policies, expressing concern that mixed messages could be exploited by criminals. Police Scotland is currently reviewing its recording practices to ensure they comply with laws related to equality and human rights. They have committed to engaging with stakeholders during this review process. Meanwhile, the parliamentary petitions committee is still considering the matter and has invited Police Scotland to provide further evidence.