Police force hires director of fairness and belonging

An MP has criticised a police force's plan to hire an assistant director of fairness and belonging on £74,000 as a "waste" of money amid soaring crime levels.

 

West Midlands Police force advertised the post with a salary of £74,340, looking for a "forward thinking, creative individual" who will "support and oversee improved inclusive culture throughout the workplace".

 

The listing read that the successful candidate must have an "authentic presence" as well as be "comfortable challenging senior leaders". They must also have "expertise, commitment and dedication to the inclusion agenda" with their influence felt "across the force".

 

The role, and its advertisement, has resulted in a fierce backlash from MPs, police and the public who have said it is a "waste" of resources. The police and crime commissioner, David Jamieson, has previously said resources in the force were tight. West Midlands Police has lost more than 2,000 officers since 2010 due to £175 million in funding cuts by the Government. Last month, the Home Office announced a £35.9 million funding boost for the force.

 

Defending the move, a West Midlands Police spokesman said: "This area has the youngest and one of the most diverse populations in the country and policing this level of diversity brings complexity, challenges and opportunities. The successful candidate will ensure the force continues to provide a fair and responsive service to all our communities. This work is especially important in our recruitment process and in becoming a more representative force of the communities it serves."

 

The Conservative candidate to become the next police and crime commissioner in May, Jay Singh-Sohal, said the money set aside for the role should be invested in frontline policing.

 

MP for West Bromwich East, Nicola Richards, wrote on Twitter: "New year, new police and crime commissioner? Our current PCC thinks it is acceptable to waste £74,000 a year on roles like this while he cries government cuts as an excuse for unacceptable levels of crime in West Brom?".

 

Former Dudley councillor and UKIP's current economic spokesman, Bill Etheridge, criticised the timing of the advertisement, saying: "After a period of time when we saw police stations closed, and the police commissioner himself has been bemoaning his lack of funds.

 

 

The Johnson Partnership

Nottingham Solicitors