Equality, diversity and inclusion

Avon and Somerset Police are committed to representing the diverse communities we serve.

We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. We have a dedicated team of six Outreach workers, whose mission is to transform and challenge our recruitment process.

Their focus is on identifying and removing barriers that may prevent individuals from under-represented communities from joining Avon and Somerset Police. This includes individuals who are:

• from ethnic and religious minority backgrounds
• LGBTQ+
• disabled, or have long-term health conditions
• neurodiverse
• from various socio-economic backgrounds
• women

During your recruitment journey or as an employee, if you are neurodivergent, have a disability or a long-term condition, you can apply for reasonable adjustments, which can provide additional support.

Our support services and networks offer advice and support on a variety of issues, including faith, gender, disability, neurodiversity, and ethnicity. They also serve as a critical friend to the organisation, championing policy and practice improvements that enhance the working lives of everyone within the force.

If you are from an under-represented background and would like to know more about how we promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workforce, contact the Outreach Team.

Ready to join us?

If you have thought about a career in the police, but are unsure what steps to take, contact our Outreach Team for further information.

We are proud to be…

Part of the Disability Confident employer scheme – we have been assessed as a Disability Confident Leader, challenging, changing and leading attitudes towards Disability and Neurodiversity, to remove barriers for disabled people in our organisation, to ensure provision of opportunities to fulfil individual potential and realise aspirations.

Fully certified by the National Equality Standard (NES) and to have achieved the NES compliant accreditation for best practice in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace.

To be reviewed –

We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion where communities are currently under-represented. This includes:

• those from ethnically-diverse backgrounds, including Black, Asian and minority communities
• people of all ages, abilities, neurodiversity, faiths, religions, gender, LGBT+ communities
• those from other disadvantaged backgrounds or marginalised backgrounds

We want to encourage people of diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our value of caring and want to make a difference in the community, to work for us.

Our commitment to increasing diversity

We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country. Below are the steps we are taking, and will continue to take, to help us realise our ambition:

Thinking of joining us?

If you have thought about a career in the police, but are unsure what steps to take, contact our Outreach Team for further information.

We are proud to be…

Part of the Disability Confident employer scheme – we have been assessed as a Disability Confident Leader, challenging, changing and leading attitudes towards Disability and Neurodiversity, to remove barriers for disabled people in our organisation, to ensure provision of opportunities to fulfil individual potential and realise aspirations.

Fully certified by the National Equality Standard (NES) and to have achieved the NES compliant accreditation for best practice in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace.