Police Digital Service ex-staffers launch employment tribunal action over mistreatment claims | Computer Weekly

"The Police Digital Service (PDS) is set to be the subject of at least two employment tribunals this year, with former staffers making claims of harassment, sexual discrimination and unfair constructive dismissal against the organisation, Computer Weekly has learned. Three PDS senior executives, including a director, are also understood to have been dismissed in recent weeks, according to sources with a close working knowledge of the Home Office-funded organisation, which is responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of the National Police Digital Strategy."

"PDS has previously been described to Computer Weekly as being a "really unhappy place to work", with sources within the organisation reporting low staff morale, amid a promise from the organisation's senior leaders that the workplace would undergo a "cultural reset". This vow is understood to have been made to staff following the completion of a "through review" of PDS, following the arrests of two employees in July 2024 for suspected bribery, fraud and misconduct in public office."

The Police Digital Service faces at least two employment tribunals this year after former staffers filed claims alleging harassment, sexual discrimination, victimisation and unfair constructive dismissal. Three senior executives, including a director, were dismissed recently amid reports of low staff morale. The organisation oversees the National Police Digital Strategy and underwent a promised cultural reset after a through review triggered by the July 2024 arrests of two employees on suspected bribery, fraud and misconduct in public office. The arrests prompted the resignation of chief executive Ian Bell and a leadership restructure now largely populated by interim hires. A preliminary hearing took place the week commencing 5 January 2026, and one case includes allegations of sexual discrimination and whistleblowing detriment.

Read at ComputerWeekly.com