College of Policing

The College of Policing’s LGBT+ Network was setup in 2019 and is open to all College staff, including seconded police officers and staff. It welcomes anyone who identifies as LGBT+ as well as allies and supporters.

The network provides members with a forum to discuss issues affecting themselves, their families or friends. It seeks to provide support to its members, whilst enhancing the College; acting as a sounding board for the development and revision of College polices and guidance.

Being a member of the National LGBT+ Police network allows us to share in the learning from forces, increasing our understanding of the challenges on the frontline and communicating this with our colleagues. This helps to cultivate the College as a work place where LGBT+ staff flourish and as an organisation connected to our key stakeholders in policing.

In addition to supporting our internal staff network, the College has a key role in Inclusion & Diversity across policing. One of our Co-Chairs is the College’s national lead in Inclusion and Diversity.

As the professional body for policing we have a leadership role to play, but we must work with the NPCC, forces and others, to ensure that we have a collaborative, coordinated approach. Together, we will make a greater impact on inclusion and diversity than any organisation would do working in isolation.

The uplift programme provides Policing with an unprecedented, once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a step change in the diversity of our workforce. It is important that Policing seizes this opportunity. A diverse workforce and inclusive culture improves productivity and performance which, in Policing, will lead to improvements in keeping the public safe.

Recruitment at this scale will shape the new workforce. We must make sure the new recruits benefit from the right training and support as they enter the Service and that they wish to stay. It is equally important that those already in the service are in an environment that supports them to be their very best and reach their potential. We will work with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and forces to support them in the development of an inclusive culture.

Within the College we will work to make sure that we also have an inclusive culture that enables everyone to be their true self at work. We will ensure that our culture and values reflect the diversity of our people and the communities in which we operate.

We know that policies, procedures and programmes alone cannot make a change. We will encourage people at all levels and from all groups to recognise, understand and engage with the need for personal and organisational change. We will challenge ourselves and Policing to think beyond the usual, to be radical and to take action.