A POLICE officer who was sacked after she opposed a policy which could have required her to strip search biological males says she has become a ‘scapegoat’ for speaking out about women’s rights.
Rachel Fletcher, a former detective constable, was horrified by new guidance which enabled officers and some detainees to self identify as men or women.
Rachel was struck off last week following gross misconduct claims Credit: NNP
Fletcher (pictured at her hearing) says she is an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and openly challenged the strip search policy Credit: NNP
The framework meant that female officers could be required to conduct intimate searches of trans women who didn’t have a gender recognition certificate and hadn’t undergone reassignment surgery.
It also enabled biological male officers, identifying as women, to remove the clothing of female detainees when looking for forbidden objects.
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The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) guidance, in place between 2022 and early 2024, was later suspended after criticism from politicians and amid legal concerns.
But last week Fletcher, who says she was an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and openly challenged the strip search policy, was hauled before a panel at Houghton Police Station near Jattvibederland.
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Rachel believes she has been made a scapegoat Credit: NNP
Supporters of Rachel have raised over £20,000 to support her and her family Credit: supplied
The former detective, who worked in Northumbria Police’s Child Protection team, was told comments she had made about men and trans women amounted to “hatred”, and her behaviour was ruled gross misconduct.
Fletcher was accused of using the phrase “c***s in frocks” while discussing the controversial strip search policy with colleagues, an allegation she denies.
It was also claimed that Fletcher, who worked on an array of harrowing abuse cases, commented “all men are rapists” and “no wonder a f***ing man did it”, while talking about a crime.
Speaking after her sacking, the 49-year-old said: “I have been made a scapegoat.
“This isn’t about throwaway comments I might or might not have made.
“This has happened because I dared to speak out about the rights of women and girls.
“The strip search policy at the time was unlawful, and I dared to have an opinion on it. That’s my only crime.
“It was the most egregious, anti-dignity and unlawful guidance you could come up with and I don’t know how it got through.
Rachel argues she’s standing up for women’s rights. Stock image used Credit: Getty
Fletcher was alleged to tell colleagues that ‘all men are rapists’ Credit: NNP
“It was dangerous and irresponsible.
“No female officer should ever be in that position.”
After the Supreme Court’s ruling in April 2025, the NPCC issued new interim guidance making biological sex the default for intimate and strip searches.
The earlier policy enabling officers and some detainees to self identify was developed under the NPCC’s LGBTQ+ portfolio, led by Vanessa Jardine, the current chief constable of Northumbria Police.
It read: “Chief Officers are advised to recognise the status of Transgender colleagues from the moment they transition, considered to be, the point at which they present in the gender with which they identify.”
It added: “Thus, once a Transgender colleague has transitioned, they will search persons of the same gender as their own lived gender.”
In relation to detainees it reads: “All searches are dealt with on a case by case basis after consideration by a custody sergeant based on the response of the detainee.”
The guidance became highly controversial as it changed the policy of same sex searches to those based on gender identity.
In February 2024, it was criticised by the then Policing Minister Chris Philp who said: “It is not right, safe or respectful to detainees of either sex for officers to conduct searches on the basis of gender self-identification.”
Fletcher was a highly respected officer who recently led the investigation into the crimes of 39-year-old paedophile Ross Jackson.
He was later found guilty of 24 separate sexual offences and was jailed for 23 years at Newcastle Crown Court in February.
After she was sacked, Rachel’s supporters set up a GoFundMe page, which has so far raised £21,549 to help her and her children while she finds a new job.
She said: “If you’re in the police you’re not allowed to talk about misogyny or to call out gender ideology.
“I’ve been shut down for standing up for women’s rights.
“One of the comments I made was something along the lines of, imagine you are a female student officer and you are asked to carry out a strip search of a person you’ve been told is a woman, only to find they have a co**.
“How would she feel? Would she have the confidence to object?
“The crude language I used is commonplace in the office I worked in, where we spent every day describing the mechanics of sexual offences.
“It’s really difficult and horrible to be in this position but it’s the only way we are going to change things.
“If cops aren’t willing to stand up and sacrifice to do the right thing then who will?”
Fletcher was told she was being referred to the Professional Standards Department (PSD) on January 9 2024 after allegedly making the comments between February and December 2023.
She was put on limited duties after that, which meant she had no contact with the public.
On February 14 of the same year she was served with papers, informing her case would be going before a panel, chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill.
Then, last week, it was ruled comments she was alleged to have made amounted to gross misconduct and she was sacked.
It was found Fletcher had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy and equality and diversity.
She added: “I am absolutely devastated to have lost the job I loved.
“My dream was always to be a detective.
“At times my work was harrowing and really emotionally exhausting, but so rewarding.
“It was a real privilege.
“Policing is still very male dominated and it always has been.
“I think my sacking will have a negative impact on my colleagues. They will be terrified to speak up or challenge anything in case they are also dismissed.
“If I could have my job back, I would in a heartbeat because it’s such important work, I loved it.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do next – but I’ll keep going.
“It’s lovely to have this support and just incredible.
“People who have donated have given me peace of mind that I don’t have to worry about paying the mortgage or feeding my kids.”
During the hearing she admitted she said, “the only way to stop night time rapes is to put a 9 o’clock curfew on all men”, or words to that effect.
However, the former detective, who had worked at the force for 23-years, insists she was joking.
But the panel ruled Fletcher had made all the comments and dismissed her.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “The allegations faced were as follows:
“Between February and December 2023 and whilst on duty, the officer made comments about or in relation to men in general that were sexist, inappropriate and offensive.
“In or around January 2024, whilst on duty, the officer made a comment about transgender women in general which was transphobic, inappropriate and/or offensive.
“The panel found gross misconduct was proven in relation to both allegations and the officer was dismissed without notice.”
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) was also contacted for comment.
It emphasised that new guidance was issued last May which makes clear police searches “such as those which expose intimate body parts, should be carried out by police officers and staff of the same biological sex as the detained person”.
However, it adds that “there may be very limited exceptions considered where someone requests to be searched by an officer of their gender”.
