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I like @KarenGeddes18 because she is down to earth & always speaks plainly. She raises important issues & is not offended by debate. She will be missed when she retires.
A few points for me; the biggest current barrier to a more diverse, reflective workforce is #PEQF 1/3 https://twitter.com/freeradionews/status/1355072261565407232
A few points for me; the biggest current barrier to a more diverse, reflective workforce is #PEQF 1/3 https://twitter.com/freeradionews/status/1355072261565407232
& inflexible pay scales. When I joined the Force, as a graduate, 20 years ago as a 22 yr old, there were also many older recruits in their 40’s & 50’s, with lots of life experience.
Many did not have formal education but were nevertheless extremely valuable colleagues 2/
Many did not have formal education but were nevertheless extremely valuable colleagues 2/
In addition, many more local people joined up, as well as those living outside the Force area, like me. You were far more likely to get a posting in your own city or borough. This has changed dramatically & it affects recruitment & crucially, retention. 3/
By placing arbitrary educational prerequisites for joining the police recruitment has become heavily skewed towards people like I was; young, single, well supported, graduates.
The problem this creates for reflective & diverse recruitment is serious 4/
The problem this creates for reflective & diverse recruitment is serious 4/
Working class kids, who have the capability but insufficient educational credit are locked out. Older people who have lived and now want to give something back can neither afford the pay cut or often, the commute they end up with. 5/
So while there may be cultural / historic barriers to diverse groups joining the police, the biggest barrier to improving their recruitment & retention is this system itself. I believe we are regressing in many aspects of diversity as a result. 6/
In @WMPolice for eg. we have a chronic lack of local recruits from areas in Birmingham. Areas we want to reflect. Areas which can be characterised by lower educational attainment, family breakdown; but with plenty of people young & older who might otherwise make great bobbies! 7/
But they don’t join. Is it because of historic distrust of law enforcement. Maybe a bit of it. Or is it simply that the present recruitment requirements & processes make any spark of interest entirely impractical both financially & often logistically! @CollegeofPolice 8/8
