personal statement for police scotland

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Policing personal statement example.

I have always been fascinated by the way police deal with stressful and demanding situations and find that when I always see them in the street in their uniform I want to be looked upon as an integral part of a community. For some time now I have considered the prospects of university and what it will be like to learn in such a compelling environment.

I think that the policing course will provide me with all the essential knowledge to become an outstanding police officer therefore, I am looking forward to all of the topics covered but most of all the practical work, because I will be able to show what I can do best, although the 'operational policing' topic seems very interesting.

As you will notice on my UCAS form I took sociology and there is a reason for this and that is because of the crime and policing topic which I am doing this year, despite all of the other topics that were interesting this is by far the most motivating topic in attracting me to your course. I think that crime and policing is fascinating topic and I will enjoy the course to my full potential.

I think it might be good to mention that I have had to rely on the police in the past and found that they dealt with my situation effectively, and prepared me to finally make the decision to become a police officer. There is little I have done that relates to the course because of the age restrictions that I have later mentioned, but that does not make me less enthusiastic about the topic in fact it makes me want to do it more because of the fact I want to learn much more about the subject.

To learn a little more I am currently reading a book called 'Policing a diverse society' by a man called Phil Clements. At the moment the book Is very appealing and was made for foundation degree students and is a perfect asset to my application.

In year 10 I applied for my work experience with my local police station unfortunately I wasn't old enough, therefore I went on a placement where I could get a good understanding of helping people and get a real feel of a working environment, similar to that of working with the police. I have been awarded a CSLA (community sports leader award), in which we had to teach and look after year 2's to year 6's and part of this was 10 hours of community work with a local primary school teaching kids basketball. From the community work with the CSLA I have gained a greater understanding of helping in a community, a prospect which I am greatly looking forward to in the police force.

When I'm not in school and in my free time I like to enjoy a good game of badminton, or if that's not available I will either go to the gym or go for a swim to keep fit. I have been fond of badminton since I can remember and have always been keen on the sport. I currently have a part-time job at a hotel where I live in which I prepare food and make deserts and starters. I generally have this job to save money for university and monthly necessities.

I am seriously looking forward to your course and the enjoyment and work of university life. After I complete my foundation degree, with all of the skills, knowledge and work with the Northampton police, I hope to peruse my chosen career path and become a member of the Great British police force.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by Goode for application in 2008.

Goode's Comments

Its not what I thing I want to know what you all think =)

Related Personal Statements

Thu, 11/12/2008 - 11:03

what university was this policing course that u applied for at please?

Fri, 12/12/2008 - 11:03

excuse me mr! i have asked u a question please answer it!!! rudeness!!

Fri, 12/12/2008 - 11:04

helllooooooooooooooooooo anybody here

me and u x x

Fri, 12/12/2008 - 11:06

ow long did tha take ya 5 minits x x x x i want u! x x x x

Tue, 10/02/2009 - 21:51

Sorry I have been soo busy with all this school work and so on. I applied to Northampton, Canterbury, Wolverhampton, Huddersfield and Cumbria.

oh did this statement get you

Mon, 19/10/2009 - 20:27

oh did this statement get you in to one of the universities or not??

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Police Scotland Application Form Guide

• Last Updated January 7, 2024

To apply for a position with Police Scotland and become a Police Officer, you are required to fill out a recruitment application form from their website. This page will provide some Police Scotland application help and valuable tips to ensure you pass the selection stage and progress in Police recruitment process. The four forms must be filled out and are:

• The main application form;
• The vetting form;
• A diversity and equality form;
• A posting preference questionnaire.

We have put together a recruitment guide which covers every stage of the process, from the application form to the final interview, along with PSET test papers and a Fitness plan. It’s a foolproof way of getting into Police Scotland! Get our Guide Today

3-In-1 Recruitment Guide

Includes Practice exam papers, Fitness Guide and Recruitment Guide. Everything you need for the Police Scotland recruitment process.

• All 3 of our best-selling Police Scotland guides
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• Practice papers made alongside the Police
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To submit your application and progress in the recruitment process, you’ll have to submit all forms together, which is done online through the Police Scotland Portal. It is important to remember that positions with Police Scotland are in huge demand and the Police service is flooded with applications. That is why there can be limited spaces in each division. Therefore, it is recommended to contact Police Scotland beforehand, to make sure that the division you’re interested in working for can accept new Police constables.

Police Scotland Recruitment Form Help

Understanding the reasons behind the form is essential so you can complete the best possible form. There are a variety of reasons that Police Scotland requires you to submit an application form.

However, the most important reason is that the application form forms the essential process of sifting; as Police Scotland receives many applications, they cannot take every applicant who applies to the interview process.

The sifting process, known as the selection process, is the best method to narrow the candidates and to filter out ineligible candidates as soon as they can. Your application should give them an idea of whether or not you’re the right candidate to fill the position.

Some say this is the most important stage, you need to get yourself across in the form, which can be hard!

To fill in the application forms, you’ll have to be sure you can meet the eligibility criteria. Naturally, police officers have a rigorous set of standards and expectations which applicants must meet.

Here are the eligibility requirements to be eligible for Police Scotland application.

Police Scotland Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must be 17 years and 6 months old to be eligible for the position, but candidates cannot be appointed a police constable until they are 18. Police Scotland doesn’t have a maximum age limit for recruitment; however, most constables retire around the age of 60.

It is vital to show that candidates have physical fitness. To demonstrate that, Police Scotland will ask you to complete a multi-stage fitness test , also known as the MSFT. To take this test, you must attain a score of 5.4.

Residency and Nationality

To be eligible for the position, you must prove either being legally a British citizen, a citizen or a resident of EEA or Switzerland or have the legal right to reside and work in the United Kingdom. Police Scotland will also consider applications from commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals. However, applicants need to prove that there aren’t any limitations on their time within the UK. Additionally, you should be able to demonstrate proof of three years’ residence within the UK.

Police Scotland do allow tattoos; however, certain tattoos may affect your appointment. If you’ve got tattoos that are deemed offensive or are in danger of affecting the image of the Police, they may refuse your application.

These are the rules for tattoos

• You cannot have face tattoos.
• If you do have tattoos, you must describe the type, size, and location to the Police. Tattoos shouldn’t undermine the integrity of the officer. Tattoos shouldn’t cause any offence to the public or any other person. Candidates will be disqualified if they have tattoos that are considered offensive or obscene, racist, sexually explicit, homophobic, violent or intimidating.

Having covered the eligibility requirements and the application form, let’s examine the application form itself. 

Police Scotland: Application Form

Area of residency.

In the initial portion of the form, you’ll be asked to choose your current geographic area, where you live.

Personal Details

In the following section of the application, you’ll have to fill in your personal information, which is self-explanatory.

Motivations and Values

The third portion of Police Scotland’s application form is probably the most crucial part. In this section you will be required to answer several questions about your motives for joining the Police force and how you perceive Police Scotland as an organisation. Questions about motivations and values are fundamental questions designed to understand your character and determine if you’re a good candidate for the organisation. Again, the Police must ensure that you’re applying for the right reason. They are looking for candidates applying to have the same values as police officers, who want to impact the community and protect the public. 

The questions on values and motivations will likely test how thoroughly you’ve researched the job description and the role of the Police. The Police want to know that you know what you’re getting yourself into and that you will not give up when it gets tricky. They also want to know that you genuinely have the desire to work for them. Conducting extensive research before applying will prove to the Police that you are committed to the job and are enthusiastic about the possibility of working for them. Speak to a local officer to find out what the day-to-day job is like, this will give you a far greater understanding then watching tv shows!

You’ll usually be given a word limit of 200 words to answer each question. It’s not many words at all, and it’s essential to make every word count. It is also crucial that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are up to standard. If the assessors go through the form and find paragraphs with mistakes, your application will likely be rejected. You must check all your answers thoroughly before submitting them. Get family members to read over the application before applying.

There will be seven questions to answer in this portion of the form. As you will only be given 200 words max per question, you must ensure that your answers are simple and to the point. Be patient in answering the question, and consider the words you’re writing. You shouldn’t use any slang words or waffle too much. Additionally, you must also make sure that you have answered every question. If you do not answer any questions, your application could be denied.

Police Scotland Application Form Questions

Q1. Please give a brief personal statement regarding your application for the position of Police Officer (400-500) words known as the police Scotland application personal statement.

This is the very first question you will be asked when filling out your application. The best way to answer this question is to be truthful! Consider the reasons and why you would like to join Police Scotland. What inspired you to become a constable? Why does Police Scotland work make you feel inspired? Look over the goals and objectives of Police Scotland on their website. Do you have the same objectives, if so tie them into your statement? Write about yourself, your life experience, tell them if you have travelled or had relevant work experience!

Q2. Police Scotland values are Fairness, Integrity, Respect and Human Rights. What values are important to you, and how do you practise these values in your own life? (200 words)

These values are a common theme throughout the recruitment process. Keep in mind that the goal is to show Police Scotland more about you and the reasons you’d make an ideal police officer. Look through the values and pick 1 or 2 of them. Then, write about how you incorporate these into your day-to-day life.

Q3. Please describe your own development journey and how this has helped shape you? This could include educational achievements at school, college, university or other vocational training and work experience. (200 words)

As we said in the introduction, Police want to know what you’ve achieved and your accomplishments. They’ll want to see the level of dedication and passion from the beginning and not just after you’ve been given the job. So show them what you have been doing to develop yourself before applying to the Police. Did you help out in the community? Do you work as a security guard? 

Q4 A Police Officer requires to be physically and mentally in good health. Please describe what you do to maintain a good level of general fitness and health? (200 words)

The main thing you need to do as a Police officer is to stay physically fit and healthy. This isn’t a trick question; let them know what you are doing to remain in good shape and health, whether it’s going to the gym three times a week or participating in a local sports team.

Q5. What preparation have you undertaken before making this application to ensure that you know what to expect and to ensure that you are prepared for the role of Police Officer? (200 words)

We’ve already mentioned that Police Scotland wants to know that the candidates have done extensive research before submitting their application forms. The most important thing is to employ someone who won’t leave within two weeks because they didn’t understand the role of a Police officer. Research also indicates that there is enthusiasm for the job. Research the role of an officer in-depth, and ensure you know what to expect.

Q6. Policing is about ensuring the well-being and safety of the public and our communities. Please describe what you would bring to Police Scotland to enhance our ability to keep people safe?

Concentrate on one aspect, then expand on how you think this will benefit the Police and the communities it serves. Tie this in with the values to show your knowledge.

Section 3: Employment History

The next step involves your previous job history. Here you’ll need to complete your employment history, which includes the job title, dates of departure and start date, and the reason you left. You must also declare whether you’ve ever been the subject of any misconduct or disciplinary investigations during your employment. Every applicant who applies to Police Scotland will be vetted since it is crucial for the organisation to ensure they’re hiring the right kind of person, so just be upfront and transparent.

Prior Service

You’ll be required to state whether or not you’ve been a part of a police force before or served in HM forces or any other country’s military. If you have, let them know. 

Business Ventures

Within this area, you’ll have to record any business ventures you’re currently involved in. Some business endeavours between you and your relatives could hinder you from becoming a police officer. Again be truthful, as the Police will find out through their vetting process.

Previous Application

Let them know if you’ve ever made an application for a position with Police Scotland or another force as a constable, special constable, or police cadet.

Declaration

At the end of the page, you’ll have to sign a declaration stating that all information you’ve given is true and correct and that you’ve been honest. The form also gives you an additional space in which you’ll be able to enter any other information you believe Police Scotland should know about. After your application form passes the assessment, the next stage in the recruitment process is the entry test.

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Police Application Personal Statement Example & Tips

Table of Contents

A job as a police officer is one of the world’s most demanding and rewarding jobs. This guide offers a good police application personal statement example to teach you how to structure your statement.

A personal statement example shows an employer that you have the skills to work in law enforcement. Read on to see how to structure a good police personal statement and learn from an example.

Personal Statement for a Police Application

Many people aspire to a law enforcement career and envision themselves as police officers. You merely need a high school diploma or equivalent, such as the General Educational Development (GED), to qualify.

To begin your career as a police officer, you must first be accepted into and graduate from a police academy. But there’s more to it than just filling out an application.

A solid education, application requirements, and a battery of exams are needed to qualify and progress in your area. If you have professional expertise, cover letters and personal statements can assist you in getting into the police academy and networking with law enforcement.

How to Write a Captivating Personal Statement for a Police Application

Creating a cover letter can sound needlessly complicated as if you’re trying to customize your application for each job opportunity. Consequently, you may compose a personal statement.

Your history, values, and hobbies should be in a personal statement. Explain in your statement why you want to become a police officer and how attending the academy would help you achieve this goal.

Some guidelines for crafting an engaging personal statement are provided below.

• Get your thoughts down on paper.
• Take your time composing your essay.
• Take care to pick and use the correct phrases.
• Utilize your strengths as a writer to guide your work.
• Begin with a solid introduction.
• Do not make up anything; stick to the truth.
• Check your statement for typos.

Police Application Personal Statement Example

The personal statement for a police application is meant to show how valuable a resource the applicant can be for the police force. Here’s an excellent example from INK .

As a law enforcement professional with years of experience, my devotion to public service and justice will be helpful as an officer. I’m proud of my local community’s impact in avoiding crime through education, awareness, and support.

I take great pride in communicating effectively with a wide array of individuals. From teaching kids to avoid danger to defusing heated disputes, I’ve seen how important it is for officers to be proactive and convincing.

My aptitude for problem-solving, resourcefulness, and persistence make me an ideal candidate for this position. I have consistently exemplified ethical conduct throughout my career by making prudent decisions to uphold justice and respect people’s rights. In addition, I have earned repute among colleagues due to my punctuality in attending to details and completing tasks promptly and accurately.

In conclusion, my professional experiences have prepared me for the demands of police work, and I look forward to serving my community.

The police application personal statement example above is a very stunning example of a well-written personal statement for a police application. Write with passion in your application and reassure the reader that you have the specific skills they need.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Service Advisor

Please note, if this is a paid role and the role is part time then the salary quoted will be pro rata based on the hours worked per annum.

06/12/2021, 12:00

We are recruiting for future vacancies within our Service Centres in Bilston Glen, Edinburgh and Govan, Glasgow. You will provide the highest possible standard of service to the Public and the Force by responding to all emergency and non-emergency calls including the provision of advice and assistance, signposting to appropriate information services, recording call information accurately on relevant systems and identifying the level of initial police action that is required.

Please note, if you are successful, we hold you on a list for up to 12 months, so you may be waiting a period of time before you receive a training and start date.

We offer a range of full time and part time shifts, to view these please refer to the shift pattern document. 

If the criteria is met, you will then be invited to a Selection Centre that will comprise of the following exercises:

• Call Taking
• Assessing and Prioritising information
• Identifying locations
• Numeracy, General and Geographic knowledge
• Audio typing test requiring you to demonstrate proficient keyboard skills with a minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute.
• Competency based interview.

Please note only applicants who have successfully completed all Selection Centre exercises in the morning will progress to the interview element in the afternoon. We will be holding our first selection centres on the below dates:

• East (Bilston, Edinburgh) candidates - 8th, 9th, 16th and 23rd January 2022
• West (Govan, Glasgow) candidates – 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th February 2022.

Please note there will be additional dates which have yet to be confirmed. 

Full details regarding this vacancy can be found in the attached Role Profile.

Applicants must be a British citizen, a member of the EU or other states in the EEA, a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national free of restrictions.

You should also have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years immediately prior to application.

You should  have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years immediately prior to application for this role.

Why work for Police Scotland? Police Scotland is responsible for policing a large diverse, multi-cultural population.  If you are looking for a fresh challenge which offers a genuine opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, variety and the chance to broaden your experience, then Police Scotland is for you.

The Scottish Police Authority has a supportive role in maintaining and improving the police service. It is also responsible for the management and delivery of Forensic Services in Scotland.

The Authority aims to increase public trust and confidence in the policing of Scotland in the way it carries out its functions and through the quality of its governance arrangements.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion,  where communities are under-represented, including those from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions and gender, LGBT communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve. All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.

Police Scotland and The Scottish Police Authority are committed to promoting a diverse workforce and to achieving and promoting an organisational culture where staff and officers are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

We are committed to being an inclusive and supportive employer and as part of that commitment are an advocate for gender equality having pledged support for HeForShe

HeForShe is a global solidarity movement for gender equality initiated by the United Nations with the aim of encouraging men and boys to speak out for gender equality recognising that gender equality is not just a women`s issue but a basic human right that benefits everyone. 

Flexible working Flexible working arrangements can be considered in line with current policy, as well as both personal and organisational needs.   

You can expect a rewarding and varied career with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. We offer competitive salaries, annual salary increments and a wide range of employee benefits. For more details click here .

Recruitment and Selection Policy

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be given primacy over the remaining internal and external applicants. Vetting  We are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.

This vacancy is closed to applications.

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Police Scotland

Responsibility for policing throughout Scotland and for keeping people safe.

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Strategic Police Priorities

Strategic Police Priorities for Scotland which are provided for through section 33 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.

Strategic police priorities

The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 enables Scottish Ministers to set Strategic Police Priorities ( SPP s), providing high-level direction for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland. They connect with the Act's statutory policing principles that 'the main purpose of policing is to improve the safety and wellbeing of persons, localities and communities in Scotland'.

Following the commitment within the 2018-19 Programme for Government to review the SPP s a consultation on updated SPP s took place over the course of 2019, with updated text being laid before the Scottish Parliament on 17 December of that year.

The consultation also asked people to offer views on how long the SPP s should be in place, as no timeframe is set out in statute, with the consultation document proposing six years. The consultation analysis highlighted that the majority of respondents were positive about this timeframe. However, the Scottish Government undertook that a short exercise be undertaken at the midpoint of that six year period to sense check the SPP s for ongoing relevancy on emerging threats, the changing needs of individuals and communities, operational delivery and the ongoing transformation of the service.

This exercise would involve those partners who Scottish Ministers are legally required to consult with prior to setting the SPP s – the SPA , Police Scotland (through the Chief Constable), and local authority representatives (Cosla). On this occasion we also sought views from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland ( HMICS ).

These revised SPP s have been developed through that process and contain some small changes to the previous text which reflect the public health and economic challenges of the period since late 2019. The SPA and Police Scotland will use these SPP s to inform both the Strategic and Annual Police Plans, which will include putting in place objectives for the police service and the activities which will deliver them.

We expect that these priorities will remain in place for a period of three years ahead of the next full review consultation due to take place in 2025.

The revised SPP s are as follows:

Crime and Security – prioritises prevention, detection, investigation, equality and human rights to support positive criminal justice outcomes; responds to threats, and maintains public order, both locally and nationally.

Confidence – continues to inspire public trust by being ethical, open, transparent person-centred and trauma informed; maintains relationships and engages with local communities, to build a positive reputation at a local, national and international level.

Partnerships – works collaboratively with key sectors to keep communities safe, sharing a collective responsibility to deliver preventative services that improve outcomes for individuals and communities, increase resilience and address vulnerability.

Sustainability – adapts resources and plans for both current and future social, economic and financial circumstances considering equalities perspectives and the environmental impact of policing and its operations.

People – values, supports, engages and empowers a diverse workforce to lead and deliver high quality services, with a focus on workforce development, equality, inclusion and overall wellbeing.

Evidence – uses evidence to innovate and develop services which address the current and emerging needs of individuals and local communities, and ensure that resources, capacity, insight and skills are in the right place to deliver outcomes.

For further information please contact:

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Police say JK Rowling committed no crime with tweets slamming Scotland’s new hate speech law

FILE - J.K. Rowling poses for photographers upon her arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’, in London, Nov. 13, 2018. Police say J.K. Rowling didn’t break the law with tweets criticizing Scotland’s new hate speech law and referring to transgender women as men. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File)

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LONDON (AP) — J.K. Rowling did not break the law with tweets criticizing Scotland’s new hate speech law and referring to transgender women as men, the police said Tuesday.

The “Harry Potter” author opposes the law, which came into force on Monday and makes it illegal to stir up hatred on the basis of characteristics such as age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity.

Rowling is among critics who say the legislation could be used to silence so-called “gender-critical” feminists, who argue that rights for trans women should not come at the expense of those who are born biologically female.

In a series of posts on X, Rowling referred to several prominent trans women as men. Misgendering could be an offense under the new law, in some circumstances.

Rowling posted that “if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested.”

“Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal,” she said.

Police in Scotland said the force had received complaints, but that “the comments are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken.”

Scotland’s semi-autonomous government says the new legislation — known as the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act — will help tackle hatred and abuse.

Critics, however, say it will have a chilling effect on free speech.

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JK Rowling will not be arrested under new Scottish hate law, say police

‘No further action’ over posts by author and gender-critical activist despite complaints

Comments by JK Rowling challenging police to arrest her for online misgendering do not amount to a crime, Police Scotland said.

As the Scottish government’s contentious hate crime law came into force on Monday, the author and gender-critical activist posted a thread on X saying the legislation was “wide open to abuse” after listing sex offenders who had described themselves as transgender alongside well-known trans women activists, describing them as “men, every last one of them”.

She stated that “freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal”.

On Tuesday afternoon, Police Scotland confirmed they had received complaints about the social media post but added: “The comments are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken.”

The act brings together existing laws. Under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, it is a crime to make derogatory comments based on age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex.

As concerns continue about officers being overwhelmed, reports suggest Police Scotland has received at least 3,000 complaints under the new act in the two days since it came into force.

Responding to the decision, Rowling said: “I hope every woman in Scotland who wishes to speak up for the reality and importance of biological sex will be reassured by this announcement, and I trust that all women – irrespective of profile or financial means – will be treated equally under the law.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the force also confirmed that racist graffiti found on Monday near Humza Yousaf’s family home in Broughty Ferry had been recorded under the new act.

The first minister said the graffiti, which contained a racial slur against him, was a reminder of why Scotland must take a “zero-tolerance” approach to hatred. On X, he said: “I do my best to shield my children from the racism and Islamophobia I face on a regular basis. That becomes increasingly difficult when racist graffiti targeting me appears near our family home.”

The Scottish National party leader robustly defended the legislation, which has prompted a barrage of criticism about how it will be policed and how it could affect freedom of speech, as well as fears that it could be used maliciously against certain groups for expressing their opinions, in particular gender-critical feminists.

Yousaf said it “absolutely protects people in their freedom of expression” while guarding “people from a rising tide of hatred that we’ve seen far too often in our society”.

The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, asked about Rowling’s comment on Tuesday morning, said that while he would not comment on a police matter, “nobody should be criminalised for saying commonsense things about biological sex”.

Robbie de Santos, the director of campaigns and human rights at Stonewall, said: “The prime minister and high-profile commentators are simply incorrect when they suggest that misgendering or ‘stating facts on biology’ would be criminalised.

“This is no more true than stating that the existing law has criminalised the criticism of religion. This kind of misrepresentation about the act and its purpose only serves to trivialise the very real violence committed against us in the name of hate.”

He called on political leaders to address the trend of “rising hate and escalating violence” facing LGBTQ+ people. “We already have longstanding laws preventing the incitement of hatred on the basis of race and religion, and the new Hate Crime Act creates parity in the law in Scotland by expanding these protections to cover sexual orientation, transgender identity, age and disability,” he said.

• Scottish politics
• Scottish National party (SNP)
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J.K. Rowling calls for own arrest for anti-trans rhetoric amid Scotland's new hate crime law

J.K. Rowling is calling for her own arrest in protest of Scotland's new hate crime law as she continues to share anti-trans rhetoric on social media.

The " Harry Potter " author made the comments on Monday, the day that the crime of "stirring up hatred" relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity came into effect.

Rowling tested the law by listing 10 trans women, including a convicted rapist, sex abusers and high-profile activists on X, saying they were men.

"In passing the Scottish Hate Crime Act, Scottish lawmakers seem to have placed higher value on the feelings of men performing their idea of femaleness, however misogynistically or opportunistically, than on the rights and freedoms of actual women and girls," she wrote in a lengthy thread .

Rowling continued: "For several years now, Scottish women have been pressured by their government and members of the police force to deny the evidence of their eyes and ears, repudiate biological facts and embrace a neo-religious concept of gender that is unprovable and untestable. The re-definition of 'woman' to include every man who declares himself one has already had serious consequences for women's and girls’ rights and safety in Scotland, with the strongest impact felt, as ever, by the most vulnerable, including female prisoners and rape survivors."

"I'm currently out of the country, but if what I've written here qualifies as an (offense) under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment," she concluded.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said the bill was about "protecting people from a rising tide of hatred."

"Unless your behavior is threatening or abusive and intends to stir up hatred, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of the new (offenses) being created," he said in a statement.

Scottish police reportedly not taking action following J.K. Rowling's hate crime law comments

Police Scotland, the U.K. country's national police agency, reportedly told BBC News Tuesday that Rowling's comments on the hate crime law will not be "treated as criminal." The agency added that while complaints on the author's social media posts had been made to police, no action would be taken.

USA TODAY has reached out to Police Scotland for comment.

In a follow-up X post Tuesday, Rowling applauded the news of Police Scotland's assessment.

"I hope every woman in Scotland who wishes to speak up for the reality and importance of biological sex will be reassured by this announcement," Rowling wrote. "And I trust that all women - irrespective of profile or financial means - will be treated equally under the law."

Who is protected under the Scottish Hate Crime Act?

Women are not protected as a group, but the Scottish National Party-led government in Edinburgh is looking at separate reforms to specifically target misogyny.

Scotland has been at the forefront of extending rights to the transgender community but a previous attempt to make it easier to change a legal gender was blocked by the British government over concerns it would impinge existing equality legislation.

The new hate crime law has also faced criticism over its impact on freedom of speech and concerns that it could be used to silence some views, including from those who advocate for women-only spaces.

Scottish ministers have previously said misgendering people would not be an offense under the new law. However, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhan Brown told BBC radio on Monday that it would be a matter for police to decide.

Britain's prime minister supports J.K. Rowling amid Scotland's new legislation

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain had a proud tradition of free speech and that the new law had given the police the wrong priorities.

"We should not be criminalizing people saying common sense things about biological sex," he told reporters. "Clearly that isn't right."

India Willoughby condemns J.K. Rowling for being 'consumed by a hatred of trans people'

India Willoughby, Britain's first transgender broadcaster and one of those who was listed by Rowling, questioned why anyone should "publicly denigrate and mock" trans people.

"What a sad pathetic sight. The best-known author in the world sitting up all night to write a mega-long troll post about me, because she's consumed by a hatred of trans people. Completely deranged," Willoughby said on X .

Last month, the broadcaster said she reported the author to U.K. law enforcement for misgendering her on social media.

Willoughby, a co-host of the popular ITV network talk show "Loose Women," revealed in  an interview with Byline TV  released March 7 that she "reported J.K. Rowling to the police for what she said." Willoughby added that she'd contacted Northumbria Police "yesterday" regarding the matter.

The "Loose Women" co-host's name was brought up on March 5, after another social media user shared a GIF of Willoughby dancing in a comment thread under one of Rowling's posts on X, formerly Twitter. The British author  replied , "India didn't become a woman. India is cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy of what a woman is."

In the interview, Willoughby said, "For J.K. Rowling to deliberately misgender me knowing who I am is grossly offensive. It is a hate crime.

"I don't know if (the police report is) going to be treated as a hate crime, malicious communications, but it's a cut-and-dried offense, as far as I'm concerned," she said.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police declined to confirm the identities of the complainant and other involved parties but confirmed they had received "a complaint about a post on social media."

"We are currently awaiting to speak to the complainant further," the statement read.

J.K. Rowling on her controversial trans views: 'Time will tell whether I’ve got this wrong'

J.K. Rowling's comments about transgender people date back to 2019

Rowling  first came under fire in 2019  for posting a message of support for Maya Forstater, a researcher who lost her job at a think tank for stating that people cannot change their biological sex, on X.

In response, GLAAD shared a statement condemning Rowling for aligning "with an anti-science ideology that denies the basic humanity of people who are transgender. Trans men, trans women, and non-binary people are not a threat, and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk."

Months later, Rowling made a similar stir in criticizing a headline on the website  devex.com . The op-ed piece included the phrase "people who menstruate" to be more inclusive. "I'm sure there used to be a word for those people," Rowling posted on X. "Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

J.K. Rowling's 'dehumanizing' misgendering post reported to UK police, TV personality says

After facing backlash, Rowling stood her ground, claiming her life "has been shaped by being female" and defended the exclusionary comments while arguing she still supports transgender people.

"I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives," she wrote in a  series of X posts . "It isn't hate to speak the truth ... I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so."

Last year, Rowling  addressed the criticism  she's received on the podcast  "The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling ."

"I absolutely knew that if I spoke out, many people who would love my books would be deeply unhappy with me," Rowling said. "Time will tell whether I've got this wrong. I can only say that I’ve thought about it deeply and hard and long and I’ve listened, I promise, to the other side." 

Contributing: Edward Segarra, Naledi Ushe, KiMi Robinson, Barbara VanDenburgh and Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY; Paul Sandle, Reuters

J.K. Rowling will not be arrested for comments about transgender women, police say

J.K. Rowling shared a social media thread on Monday, the day a new Scottish hate-crime law took effect, that misgendered several transgender women and appeared to imply trans women have a penchant for sexual predation. On Tuesday, Scottish police announced they would not be investigating the “Harry Potter” author’s remarks as a crime, as some of Rowling’s critics had called for.

“We have received complaints in relation to the social media post,” a spokesperson for Police Scotland said in a statement. “The comments are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken.”

Scotland’s new Hate Crime and Public Order Act criminalizes “stirring up hatred” against people based on their race, religion, disability, sexuality or gender identity.

“In passing the Scottish Hate Crime Act, Scottish lawmakers seem to have placed higher value on the feelings of men performing their idea of femaleness, however misogynistically or opportunistically, than on the rights and freedoms of actual women and girls,” Rowling wrote , in part. “The new legislation is wide open to abuse by activists who wish to silence those of us speaking out about the dangers of eliminating women’s and girls’ single-sex spaces, the nonsense made of crime data if violent and sexual assaults committed by men are recorded as female crimes, the grotesque unfairness of allowing males to compete in female sports, the injustice of women’s jobs, honours and opportunities being taken by trans-identified men, and the reality and immutability of biological sex.”

Rowling also appeared to test the new measure by sharing images of 10 transgender women — pairing a convicted rapist and sexual offender alongside an activist and a broadcaster — and referring to them all as men.

“I’m currently out of the country, but if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offense under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment,” she wrote. 

Rowling doubled down on her criticisms of the law on Tuesday and celebrated the announcement by police that she would not be prosecuted. 

“I hope every woman in Scotland who wishes to speak up for the reality and importance of biological sex will be reassured by this announcement, and I trust that all women — irrespective of profile or financial means — will be treated equally under the law,” she wrote on X .

Rowling has faced criticism for years for her comments about transgender people, including questioning whether more young people have come out as transgender in recent years as the result of a “ contagion ” fueled by social media. She has also contended that trans girls and women pose a sexual violence threat to cisgender women in restrooms, changing rooms and prisons, and reiterated those claims on Monday.

“It is impossible to accurately describe or tackle the reality of violence and sexual violence committed against women and girls, or address the current assault on women’s and girls’ rights, unless we are allowed to call a man a man,” Rowling wrote Monday. “Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal.”

Britain’s first trans broadcaster, India Willoughby — one of the 10 trans women Rowling shared an image of — slammed the author Tuesday in posts of her own on X . Before  the police said that Rowling would not be arrested, Willoughby called on the police to “start making prosecutions and protecting the trans community.” 

“If somebody put your name on a list of sex offenders, along with other innocent people, and then published that list to 14 million people would you be annoyed?” she said in a video, referring to Rowling, who has 14 million followers on X. “Would you maybe go to the police and ask them to do something? Would you be upset? Would you consider it hateful? Because that’s what happened yesterday.”

Speaking with the broadcaster Sky News on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declined to comment on Rowling’s remarks specifically but characterized the new Scottish law as a violation of free speech.

“We should not be criminalizing people saying common sense things about biological sex,” Sunak said. “Clearly that isn’t right.”

Sunak himself has been criticized for his remarks on transgender Britons. In February, he mocked the Labour Party’s position on the definition of a woman within minutes of British lawmakers hearing that the mother of a murdered trans teenager was in Parliament at the time.

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JK Rowling will not face prosecution under Scotland hate crime law

JK Rowling will not face prosecution under Scotland’s hate crime laws after she made a series of posts calling trans women men, Police Scotland have confirmed.

On Monday the author challenged the force to “arrest her” after making the comments on Twitter/X.

In response to Police Scotland’s statement, Rowling said she hoped women in Scotland would be reassured by the decision.

• JK Rowling challenges police: Arrest me under Scottish hate crime law

The development came as Police Scotland logged more than 3,000 complaints in 48 hours since the hate crime law came into force.

At least 60 reports per hour have been received by officers, according to police sources. Calum Steele, the former general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, the union that represents

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UPDATE 1-J.K. Rowling Will Not Face Action Under Scottish Hate Crime Laws, Police Say

J.K. Rowling challenges Scotland's new hate crime law

Scotland says law is about protecting people from rising hatred

Harry Potter author said 10 transgender women were men

(Recasts on Police Scotland saying Rowling will face no action, adds police statement in paragraphs 4-5)

By Paul Sandle

LONDON, April 2 (Reuters) -

J.K. Rowling will not face any action under Scotland's new hate crime law after she challenged it by asserting on social media that a number of transgender women were men, police said on Tuesday.

The Harry Potter author, a prominent gender critical campaigner, made the comments on Monday, the day that the crime of "stirring up hatred" relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity came into effect.

She was backed by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said people should not be criminalised for saying "common sense" things about biological sex.

Police Scotland said it had received complaints in relation to Rowling's social media post.

"The comments are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken," a spokesperson said.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf had said the bill was about "protecting people from a rising tide of hatred".

"Unless your behaviour is threatening or abusive and intends to stir up hatred, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of the new offences being created," he said.

Women are not protected as a group, but the Scottish National Party-led government in Edinburgh is looking at separate reforms to target misogyny.

Scotland has been at the forefront of extending rights to the transgender community but a previous attempt to make it easier to change a legal gender was blocked by London over concerns it would impinge existing equality legislation.

The new hate crime law has also faced criticism over its impact on freedom of speech and concerns that it could be used to silence some views, including from those who advocate for women-only spaces.

Rowling tested the law by listing 10 trans women, including a convicted rapist, sex abusers and high profile activists, on X and saying they were men.

"Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal," she said.

LAW GIVES POLICE 'WRONG PRIORITIES', PM SAYS

"I'm currently out of the country, but if what I've written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment."

Scottish ministers have previously said misgendering people would not be an offence under the new law.

However, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhan Brown told BBC radio on Monday it would be a matter for police to decide.

Sunak said Britain had a proud tradition of free speech and that the new law had given the police the wrong priorities.

"We should not be criminalising people saying common sense things about biological sex," he told reporters. "Clearly that isn't right."

India Willoughby, Britain's first transgender newsreader and one of those who was listed by Rowling, questioned why anyone should "publicly denigrate and mock" trans people.

"What a sad pathetic sight. The best-known author in the world sitting up all night to write a mega-long troll post about me, because she's consumed by a hatred of trans people. Completely deranged," Willoughby said.

The Scottish Police Federation said officers were being asked to enforce new laws when resources were being cut.

"We are anticipating a high number of complaints in relation to social media posts and it is clearly going to create a lot of extra work," it said.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Sharon Singleton)