Annual Equality Report 2022

An external organisation to conduct a cultural audit

During 2021, Devon & Cornwall Police invited an external organisation to conduct a cultural audit of our organisation. Their remit was to understand whether there were any discriminative behaviours across the organisation. Findings from this audit formed the basis of a three-day intensive leadership programme delivered to members of the workforce both officers and members of police staff at the rank/equivalent of Chief Inspector or above. 

The programme provides those attending with a greater insight and understanding of how and why inappropriate circumstances may arise within the workplace. With this understanding, the facilitators introduce our leaders to a number of tools, which they could use to manage these circumstances as they arise, to enable a more effective outcome. The delivery of this programme continues.

Relaxation of COVID lockdown restrictions in year enabled the Positive Action Team to once again maximise opportunities to engage diverse communities at events and activities.  Using these to share the variety of roles policing has to offer. These face-to-face interactions were supported by online webinars, fully resourced programmes, 1-2-1 coaching and mock interviews.

In addition to locally designed materials, the team have utilised national materials via the College of Policing and National Uplift Team ensuring the approach followed a degree of consistency with national messages coming from the Home Office.

The Positive Action Support Programme was recognised by HMICFRS during our
inspection as a best practice approach. To effect positive changes within the workplace, three areas of training were prioritised within year:

Unconscious Bias

3,943 members of the workforce completed the on-line training.  Further bespoke sessions were delivered to individual teams and departments, and an awareness session was included as part of Devon & Cornwall Police’s continuous professional development week. This session was recorded so members of the workforce unable to attend are able to access for reference.

Bystander Training

Over 100 officers and members of police staff attended the pilot evidence-based University of Exeter programme of bystander training. Enabling individuals to identify micro-aggressions, the programme outlines the differing approaches available to individuals; increasing their confidence and skills to intervene where they see these within the workforce.