Sexist and misogynist attitudes are still “pervasive within Police Scotland," according to an independent review of the force.

The three-year probe found "deeply embedded outdated attitudes that contribute to a hostile environment towards women within the service, and likely affect policing in wider society".

These were often being “expressed in more overt or covert ways at different times and in different contexts".

The Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Independent Review Group (IRG), was established in the wake of a damning report looking at police complaints by Lady Elish Angiolini.

The former lord advocate was looking into the service following the death in custody of Sheku Bayoh, who died after being forcibly restrained.

She recommended that Police Scotland “be the subject of a broader, fundamental review of equality matters by an independent organisation".

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In their final report, published last month, the IRG said “both institutional and personal sexism and misogyny is a daily experience for many” in the service.

It says that “both institutional and personal sexism and misogyny is a daily experience for many".

They said this was having an impact on the career progression of female officers as the “pervasive attitudes of misogyny and sexism across all areas and divisions of Police Scotland… contribute to a hostile environment for women who may choose to leave their careers early or to change career paths".

The IRG heard accounts of reported hostility towards women who achieve promotions (particularly those who are younger), with negative associations between sex/gender and ambition/professional competence and achievement.

Data obtained by the group found that there was a small increase in the proportion and number of women in the promoted ranks of sergeant and above from 993 in March 2020 to 1,078 by March 2022, a jump from 27% to 28%.

However, female officers, black and minority ethnic officers and white minority ethnic officers were “under represented as successful candidates in promotion processes, when compared with their representation in the service as a whole".

Former firearms officer Rhona Malone was awarded £948,000 after taking the force to an employment tribunal after she complained about sexism.

In her case, the employment tribunal accepted evidence that there was an “absolute boys’ club” culture within the armed response vehicle team.

Her lawyer Margaret Gribbon told Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee that the process had impacted on her client’s health “to such an extent she had to retire”.

A separate report last week showed the number of women applying to join the force plummeted in the last three years.

Of the 581 probationers in 2023, just 181 were female. In 2021, it was 287 of 624.

The final report from the IRG was shared with the Scottish Police Authority at their last board meeting.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said she was “hugely grateful for the rigour of the IRG's work and for the constructive approach they have taken in providing practical steps that can continue this important work to which I, and all of Police Scotland, remain committed".

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton told The Herald: "We are building an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory, Service which delivers for all our communities, including our officers and staff.

"The Policing Together programme drives and co-ordinates meaningful change right across the Service. Our success will be measured by improved experiences of the public and our colleagues.

"We are hugely grateful to the Independent Review Group for their rigour and constructive approach, providing practical steps which can help us in this vital work."