Staff supprt groups

The staff support groups play a very important part in the organisation, empowering employees and officers from under-represented groups to have their voice heard at all levels of the organisation. The groups act as a support mechanism for staff and undertake advocacy and representative functions. They also enable the police to consult with and involve staff from a diverse range of groups on a variety of issues including strategic decision making.

Chief Constable
Shaun Sawyer

Buddhist Police Support Network (BPSN)

The BPSN aims to provide practical and emotional support to under-represented groups of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The BPSN is open to anyone with Buddhist or similar beliefs.  Our membership includes people who have practiced Buddhism for years, to those who are inquisitive about its teachings and want to find out more. You don't have to be a practising Buddhist to attend - you may just be curious to find out more and network with like-minded people.

Local contact details:

Email: contact form

Twitter: @buddhistpolice

Christian Police Association (CPA)

There are many people working in the police service who are Christians and who believe that God is real and relevant to every aspect of life including police work. However, many find that the rigours of shift work and other commitments make it difficult to be fully involved in the life of a local church. The Devon and Cornwall CPA branch has members across the Force area and has its own overarching aim: Cornwall Police and encourage staff to live out their Christian lives in the workplace The basis of membership is a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Local contact details:

Email: contact form

National: www.CPAuk.net

External: www.devonandcornwallcpa.co.uk

Telephone: 07889 702316

Twitter: @DC_CPA

Ethnic Minority Police Association (EMPA)

The aims of the EMPA Support Group shall be to seek to improve the working environment of ethnic minority staff members, employed within the Devon and Cornwall Police with a view to enhancing the quality of service to the minority ethnic communities of the United Kingdom.

Local contact details

Email: contact form

Telephone: 07860 906697

Gay Police Association

The Devon and Cornwall Gay Police Association is the staff support group for anyone in the policing family who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGB/T).

We offer support, undertake awareness raising activities, deliver community engagement and act as a critical friend to the Force, challenging it to improve its services and processes for all. We want to increase the visibility of supportive colleagues who do not identify as LGBT, but who wish to work alongside the GPA to improve support, equal opportunities and reduce the isolation and discrimination that some staff experience. If you do not identify as LGB/T but would like to get involved please contact us.

Local contact details

Email: contact form

Telephone: 01392 225561 (Chair's office number) or 07736 627720 (GPA mobile)

www.facebook.com/dccgpa

Twitter: @dccgpa

Women's Network

As a support group, network members are committed to enabling the Force to deliver a better quality of service and invest in its staff. The aims are broad and the network relies heavily on a number of subgroups, which will focus on specific areas identified by you as important. These include promotion and development, for example. Through these subgroups, staff will be able to see that the network is active and striving to make an actual difference.

Local contact details

Email: contact form