THE most senior female officer in Devon & Cornwall Police has spoken out about being subjected to misogynistic and hateful comments after sharing news about the recent disposal of an unexploded Second World War bomb.

During a guest speaker slot within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner ‘justice’ hour at the West Country Women’s International Women’s Day Plymouth 2026: ‘Rights. Justice. Action’ on March 6, Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Leaper recalled how she unexpectedly found herself at the centre of a barrage of hostile comments on social media based on her appearance and position as a senior female officer.

It came after the force published an informative update on its Facebook page in January confirming all cordons had been lifted in Exmouth and the device was being disposed of at sea.

It was accompanied by a photograph of ACC Leaper at the scene in her police uniform.

Instead of being praised for her leadership, dedication and the positive outcome achieved, negative comments included ‘lifted the cordon, like her face’, ‘only a face a mother could love’ and ‘I now believe in vampires’.

ACC Leaper, who has served as a police officer for almost 23 years, admitted that she was ‘not shocked’ by the comments because of the number of misogynistic incidents she has encountered during her career, but said she was concerned about the impact it had on her colleagues.

She recalled: ‘I had been the duty officer for more than 11 days without a day off.

‘I had also been Gold Commander for Storm Goretti and the police lead for two Second World War bombs in Exmouth and Plymouth. I had only had five hours sleep in two days.

‘When my picture was taken by a colleague for the social media post it was 6am and we were still waiting for the Exmouth bomb to be detonated.

‘I was later contacted by colleagues who were really upset by the ‘ridiculous’ comments which, at that point, I had not seen.

‘I wasn’t shocked which is really telling about the society we live in. I expect it because that’s what you get whether you’re a senior female leader, celebrity, or politician.

‘Despite women doing the same jobs as men they are judged differently.

‘It can burn you out and stop women from wanting leadership roles’.

Out of all the negative Facebook comments ACC Leaper received, she says the ones that impacted her the most were ‘only a face a mother could love’ having recently held her mother in arms while she passed away, and those that questioned her operational experience.

She said: ‘A positive that came out of it all was the supportive communications I received from senior leaders and the Chief Constable’s reactive Facebook post which helped promote female role models.

‘I even received flowers from members of the public and a card from a man saying, ‘we’re extremely lucky to have such a dedicated, caring and professional ACC in Devon and Cornwall Police’.

‘Misogynistic comments are not acceptable and we need to hear more positive male voices in this arena’.

The OPCC ‘justice’ hour also included honest and frank speeches from Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez and Chief Constable James Vaughan on justice, VAWG and empowering women.

The Chief also pledged that there was no place for misogyny either in or outside the police force.