Lincolnshire Police named in Inclusive’s Top 50 employers list

Lincolnshire Police are delighted to announce that they have been named in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers list for the third successive year.

The list, published by the Inclusive Companies network, recognises best practice and innovation with the goal of driving inclusion for all.  

Some of the progress they have made recently includes introducing British Sign Language on emergency lines; promoting access to 999 for those who may not speak English at all or not well; and enhancing recruitment to work towards a more diverse workforce.

Graeme Simpkin, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said: “It is fantastic news that we have been recognised again in the Top 50 Inclusive UK Employers list.

“This is testament to the dedication, drive and hard work of our staff.

“As a Force, we are lucky to have an astounding number of champions and role models, both internally and within our communities, volunteers, and partners.

“I would like to thank everyone who has worked with us to make this happen.”

We want to ensure that we make a difference to our communities with initiatives, and have been building relationships in our communities to ensure have diverse input in all that we do. 

Our EDI team has recently led on a number of initiatives:

• We continue to promote our Pegasus Scheme, for those who may experience communication difficulties, have introduced British Sign Language on our emergency lines and promoted access to 999 for those who may not speak English well, or at all.
• We’re continuing to build our workforce so that it reflects the diversity of our communities by attracting experience and talent from the widest pool of people.
  This has included expanding our eligibility criteria to enable us to recruit more people who speak English as their second language. Our current officers with second language skills are integral to community engagement in towns and villages across the county.
• Expanding the eligibility criteria has enabled us to focus recruitment activity in additional areas such as British Sign Language and Makaton. A more diverse workforce helps us to understand our mix of different communities and supports efforts to communicate, listen and work with them so that we can understand their needs and respond more effectively when they need our help.
• Internally, we have several staff networks, and we are a Disability Confident employer, supporting individuals with disabilities and diverse conditions. As a result, we have introduced in-house dyslexia screening for staff and officers, which has enabled supportive adjustments to be put in place.

Chief Constable Paul Gibson said: “We welcome people from all backgrounds into Lincolnshire Police, and it’s crucial that we gain even more diversity and understand our communities better.

“The fact we’ve been recognised in this list for the third successive year points to the significant progress we have made, which is a testament to our EDI team, the hard work and open-mindedness of our officers and staff, and the excellent relationships we have with our communities and our partners.

“We acknowledge that there is more to be done, so we will continue to innovate by listening to our communities, our partners and our people, and find new ways of working and recruiting that will help to promote and diverse and inclusive police service.”

Their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy is to enable a representative, inclusive and supportive Force that recognises, respects and understands the differences and needs of individuals and communities under five key themes:

• Understanding our communities.
• Enabling accessible services.
• Removing barriers and disparity.
• Becoming a representative service.
• Valuing difference.