Essex Police launch Fit the Bill campaign - and are championing diversity

That is the message from Essex Police as they launch their We Value Difference recruitment campaign.

The force is attempting to dispel the myths that you have to be a certain type of person to be a police officer and are focusing on issues such as personality, age, cultural background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, language, education and faith.

Only 34 per cent of officers employed at the moment are female, and three per cent are from BAME backgrounds.

In July and August, application rates in under-represented groups continued to grow, with almost ten per cent of applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds and 30 per cent women.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington acknowledge the Essex force had to do better.

He said: “Our aim is to make our police force as diverse as the county we serve and we are committed to doing that.

“We genuinely value differences between different people and communities at Essex Police – whether that’s your age, your ethnicity or your life experience.

“As long as you share our commitment to protect and serve the people of Essex, we want to hear from you.

“Sir Robert Peel, the founder of modern policing, said: ‘The public are the police and the police are the public’ – it’s as simple as that.

“We also know that different personalities and viewpoints can make a great team – that’s why difference is so important.

“We support officers from all sorts of backgrounds, those of different sexual orientations and gender identities, of different levels of neurodiversity and ability or speak different languages.

“I think the police should be more straight-talking and acknowledge we need to do more to attract people from all walks of life to join the great people that are already part of our team.

“We need to get on and deal with it and that is what we are doing.

“I know we can do better. And we will. I want to make sure that our officers are the best they can be so they can continue to detect crime and keep you safe.”

George Bampoe, 45, from Colchester, is in the middle of his training and wants to add more diversity to the force.

He said: “Diversity and inclusion is so important inside and outside work because we need to reflect and represent the people we serve.

“Before joining, I had never seen a BAME police officer in Colchester where I live.

“I was glad to have been offered this job, but more importantly, I was happy with the way I was accepted by my colleagues, the recruitment staff and the trainers.

“I was made to feel welcomed.

“I served for almost five years in the British Army as a supply controller with two tours of duty to Iraq under my belt.

“My role as trainee PC is busy and challenging.

“But I am lucky to have a good trainer and a first-class training facility which has helped me transition from a normal civilian into a trainee officer.

“Despite the recruitment process being rigorous, it was a fair process whereby I was given every opportunity to succeed.”

PC Yang Pei has already given up his time to service as a special constable in the force, and is now training to become a regular officer.

The 35-year-old is also based in Colchester and said his fluency in German and Chinese are an advantage.

“If you’re interested in policing or experiencing policing, I was a special constable beforehand which has given me great experience,” he said.

“It’s definitely making the journey to being a police constable a lot easier.

“Every day – every job you get sent out to – is different and exciting.

“I was once able to assist with furthering the intelligence around a missing persons case, by translating information that was in Chinese.

“Whoever you are, whatever background you’re from, if you want to help people then there’s a place for you at Essex Police.

“If you’re fluent in another language, or have skills in another language, that’s even better. It means you can help victims or witnesses who may not speak English.”

For more information, visit essex.police.uk/fitthebill.