Welcome to Episode one of Bad Apple Rotten Orchard – a podcast that investigates the endemic culture of misogyny that’s terrifyingly present in UK policing. My name’s Alice Vinten, and I was a constable in the Metropolitan Police Service, policing the front lines of Islington, London, for over ten years. Since the tragic murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021, I have been speaking out about sexism in policing, sharing my experiences of sexism in the force, and highlighting the voices of female police officers and members of the public that have been affected by this dark – and previously hidden – culture.

Bad Apple Rotten Orchard aims to answer three main questions:

• Is there a culture of misogyny across UK policing?
• Does the power of policing attract abusive predators to the role?

IF SO –

• What can be done?

In this first episode I will be looking at some of the shocking statistics that have been exposed around misogyny in UK Policing. I will be taking my figures from the Baroness Casey Review (cultures inside the Met police), The Centre for Women’s Justice Super Complaint (this analysed the prevalence and investigation of police perpetrated domestic abuse), an FOI request by the British Press into the previous convictions and misconduct cases of UK police officers, and figures published by the IOPC – the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

Helping me to delve into the depths of these figures in this episode is ex Merseyside police officer, Chantelle Lunt.

As thousands of women across the UK ask themselves whether they can trust the police, this podcast will reveal the endemic culture of misogyny that is hidden within the ranks of the powerful men who are supposed to protect us.

Introducing myself, Alice Vinten, as your host, and describing what Bad Apple, Rotten Orchard is all about, what we're hoping to achieve, and what you can expect from upcoming episodes.