On 15th December, an independent panel oversaw the ethical policing processes in Leicestershire and reviewed the progress being made to increase workforce diversity.
Expanding Black Minority Ethnic (BME) representation in all areas of policing as well as increasing the ratio of female, LBGT and disabled employees are among a series of issues raised as members from Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Bach's Ethics, Integrity and Complaints Committee met last week.
Leicestershire Police plans to run a five-stage recruitment process for police officers in 2018 which will result in the appointment of more than 100 officers.
The Force is committed to increasing the number of BME officers recruited during the process to achieve a more balanced workforce and will also work hard on increasing the recruitment of volunteers, special constables and cadets from the BME community.
Committee members discussed the different methods of achieving this including marketing and social media and plans to review the entry system for candidates entering the force.
Panel members also discussed the force's promotion strategy which aims to encourage progression for people from underrepresented groups. This work includes identifying opportunities for promotions, secondments and attachments, as well as opportunities for staff to access coaching and mentoring.
A report on the force's Prevent work and counter-terrorism progress and dip sampling of police complaints were also discussed.
Every meeting, members discuss an ethical dilemma and in this meeting they deliberated the force's need to consider what services it should prioritise, what it should stop doing and where it can alter its service levels to try and cope with those priorities.
The Ethics, Integrity and Complaints Committee was set up to provide greater accountability to the public of policing processes including the complaints system and hold the Force to account for its decisions as well as ensure the highest level of integrity and professionalism is maintained.
The independent panel meets regularly and scrutinises a host of issues affecting community safety in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland including professional conduct cases and updates on performance.
