Women In Blue

Former senior police detective Jackie Malton - the inspiration for Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in the TV series Prime Suspect - presents a personal and hard-hitting analysis of how the police have tackled sexism and misogyny in their ranks.

She assesses whether the laddish canteen-culture and sexist attitudes among male police officers has really changed since the 70s and 80s, and whether the force has genuinely created a safe and equal environment for men and women to work in.

A 2012 survey found that more than four out of ten female police officers in England and Wales were so disillusioned with their profession that they had seriously considered quitting. At the same time, high proportions of women police officers claim to have been sexually harassed and in some cases assaulted by male colleagues.

Jackie talks to a number of recently retired senior figures, as well as serving officers.

Producers: David Prest and Julie Bindel

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Jackie Malton assesses how the police have tackled sexism and misogyny in their ranks.