Positive Action
We are committed to building our relationships with under-represented groups and encouraging them to join our policing family.
Positive Action is the name given to measures under the Equality Act 2010 that promote equality of opportunity and the removal of barriers when they are in connection with a protected characteristic. Structures in our society mean not everybody starts from the same position, and there may be barriers which prevent people from achieving their potential.
Positive Action is about levelling the playing field, and will also lead to a wider pool of skills, experience and talent from which to recruit.
Under-represented characteristics may include one or more of the protected characteristics below:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
From the moment you come into contact with the police family at Warwickshire Police we want you to feel recognised as an individual.
We're seeking people who possess the skills, experience and potential to become superb police officers. Positive Action is the name given to measures under the Equality Act 2010 that promote equality of opportunity. The Equality Act empowers us to remove these barriers when they are in connection to a protected characteristic, so that we can work together towards achieving true equality.
People with language skills, different cultures or backgrounds are encouraged to apply to join our workforce. The Positive Action team creates a level playing field; supporting a protected group by overcoming a disadvantage, meeting a particular need or encouraging participation in an activity where it is disproportionately low.
Positive Action is lawful and can be used to redress any imbalance of opportunity or disadvantage that an individual with a protected characteristic could face. Every candidate who enters our recruitment process is assessed on equal merit, this means candidates are scored at every stage of the application process. Guidance for applying positive action is set out in the Equality Act 2010 and Warwickshire Police follows this rigorously to ensure we apply the law in a professional environment.
The police service is a community in which each and every member deserves to work in a fair and inclusive environment which values each colleague as their true selves. Positive action is a demonstration of our commitment to this and will serve as affirmation for all protected groups.
Greater diversity equips the police workforce with the understanding it needs to better serve our diverse communities – this helps the service secure the trust and confidence of the public and aids effective crime prevention and commitment to justice.
Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010 allows positive action to support a protected group by minimising or overcoming a disadvantage, meeting a different need or encouraging participation in an activity where it is disproportionately low. To be lawful, the action has to be proportionate, and not discriminatory.
Our community advisory groups and members of our staff support networks have made significant and valuable contributions to raising awareness amongst our newly recruited police officers of topics such as cultural awareness, race and religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, and transgender identity.
You can view our Positive Action Strategy below:
Our latest workforce diversity figures can be found here.