The recommendation follows a survey of officers past and present which found that 41 per cent had experienced discrimination or harassment while in the force.

In total, 542 officers responded to the survey on equality and diversity in the single force.

Just under half said they would not recommend policing as a career, while a mere 28 per cent said they were satisfied with their roles.

The survey was conducted as part of a report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS). Female respondents gave various reasons for not recommending a career.

One said: “I have been sexually assaulted at work, as have most female colleagues I have spoken to.

“I have also spent years being on the receiving end of sexist ‘jokes’ and banter, been asked questions regarding what sexual practices I take part in and so on.”

Another said: “Although there have been improvements since I joined the organisation it still very much feels like a ‘boys’ club’ and I feel women’s performance comes under far more scrutiny than males.”

Others said the force was racist.

One said: “Most people from ethnic minority backgrounds don’t feel they belong here and they feel that the colour of their skin and accent is a hurdle when it comes to their progress.”

Another said: “The police are corrupt, racist and Islamophobic and I would never want my family and friends to go through what I did.”