The head of the organisation representing police officers has said a “canteen culture” of sexism and misogyny in UK police forces has to end in order to win back public trust.

John Apter, the chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, acknowledged forces in the UK had a problem with behaviour where female officers are subjected to “sexist nicknames” and “derogatory remarks”, adding it needed to be “consigned to the history books”.

After Wayne Couzens was sentenced for murdering 33-year-old Sarah Everard, the police were described as “institutionally misogynistic” by a former chief constable of Nottinghamshire police, Susannah Fish. Fish said she had been sexually assaulted by colleagues while in the police.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Apter, who represents more than 130,000 officers, said: “Maintaining public confidence in policing is essential, so we have to accept that we have a problem, as only then can we deal with it.

“Cultural change is never easy, and this is not unique to policing, but just because it’s not easy doesn’t mean we mustn’t try. Doing nothing is not an option.”

Couzens was given a whole-life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of Everard, after she went missing while walking home from a friend’s house in south London. He was a serving police officer at the time, and used his warrant card and handcuffs to abduct her.

He had a history of indecent exposure and was reportedly nicknamed “the rapist” by colleagues.

Apter said the murder had damaged the public’s trust in the police.

“Sarah Everard’s horrific murder has impacted on our relationship with the public. Everyone in policing must face that. It’s not enough to say that this was the actions of one evil man who deserves to rot in jail.

“We must demonstrate not only through our words, but also through our actions, that sexism and misogyny have absolutely no place in the police service.”

Last week the police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct said five police officers from four forces were facing disciplinary action over messages shared on social media about Everard’s killer.

Apter added: “Misogyny is not just a problem for women, it’s a problem for us all. Far too often there is silence when this takes place, and through this inaction we are failing each other and wider society.

“We need to consign to the history books some of our ‘canteen culture’, where sexist nicknames and derogatory remarks are made. When banter crosses the line to become sexist, derogatory or homophobic, that’s when it ceases to be banter, and this is where we need a recalibration.”