Positive Action Team
Police Scotland knows that Scotland is a diverse country. The consent, support and cooperation of our fellow citizens lies at the heart of the identity and legitimacy of policing in Scotland. To ensure that bond is as strong as possible, we must fully represent and reflect the communities we serve.
Inclusion is an operational necessity and morally the right thing to do. We are committed to increasing the number of officers and staff from under-represented groups. This will help us to truly reflect the communities we serve.
There are well documented barriers to some people applying to join the police service. We aspire to ensure equality of opportunity for all. Our Positive Action team aims to attract a diverse workforce. It also promotes an organisational culture which reflects Police Scotland’s values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights.
Police Scotland is a Disability Confident employer. We are committed to equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
The organisation is also aware that about 10% of the population lives with a neurodiverse condition, such as dyslexia or ADHD. Many police officers and police staff with a neurodiverse condition have successful careers with Police Scotland. If you have a neurodiverse condition, please contact our recruitment team to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support which can be put in place.
Police Scotland is an Armed Forces friendly organisation and upholds the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. We support recruitment of veterans by engaging with service recruitment bodies such as the Career Transition Partnership and the Officers Association. We also acknowledge the skills and experience that military service brings to our organisation.
The organisation also supports officers and staff through a network of veterans’ champions. We seek, where possible, to support those who choose to be members of reserve forces. We do this through offering paid leave for training and accommodating deployments where possible.
Our Vision
We aspire to ensure equality of opportunity for all through Positive Action.
Our Purpose
To attract and recruit a diverse workforce and promote our organisational culture of Policing Together where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
To help reflect and represent the communities we serve, the Positive Action team run a number of recruitment events and sessions. These events help to answer specific questions from people from diverse communities and under-represented groups. This includes black and minority ethnic (BME), women and the LGBTQ+ community. This is to ensure everyone has fair access to the Police Scotland recruitment process.
It is important to note that our recruitment process is open to all regardless of background. All applicants are subject to the same steps and need to meet the same high standards in order to be selected.
Recruitment Events
To view our latest recruitment events visit our recruitment events page.
Contact our Positive Action recruitment team at recruitmentpositiveactionteam@scotland.police.uk
Support from Diversity Staff Associations
Serving officers and police staff can receive guidance and support from a variety of diversity staff associations and networks. Diversity staff associations include groups across varied protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Diversity staff associations work nationally with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). They help to highlight different experiences and voices within policing and our communities. They also support the organisation in equality and inclusion initiatives and policies. More information on our associations can be found below:
Christian Police Association
Founded in 1883 by Catherine Gurney, OBE, the Christian Police Association (CPA) has branches in the majority of police areas in the UK. This includes Police Scotland and SPA.
Membership is free and open to police officers and staff, serving and retired.
The CPA is non-denominational and includes members from many of the mainstream church traditions. What unites them is their belief in the core principles found in the Bible.
The wellbeing of police officers and staff has been a key focus of the CPA since its beginnings.
For more information please visit the Christian Police Association website.
Disability and Carers Association
The Scottish Police Disability and Carers Association (DACA) aims to raise awareness of issues experienced by police officers, staff and special constables who have a disability and/or caring responsibilities.
DACA works to ensure the organisation is inclusive and supports the needs of carers and people with disabilities.
DACA works with Police Scotland, the SPA and partners to increase support for carers. It also works to improve wellbeing services for colleagues who have an illness or disability.
Scottish LGBTI Police Association
The Scottish LGBTI Police Association is an independent staff support network. It is for LGBTI police officers and staff working in Scotland and those who support them, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The association was set up to represent the needs and interests of LGBTI police officers and staff in Scotland.
It is officially recognised by the Scottish Government, SPA and Police Scotland. It is also recognised by UK-wide police forces, police staff associations and trade unions.
For more information please visit the Scottish LGBTI Police Association website.
Scottish Police Muslim Association
Scottish Police Muslim Association (SPMA) was founded in 2008. It supports Muslim police officers and staff across Scotland and acts as a bridge between the police service and Muslim communities it serves.
The SPMA are a key partner in the development and delivery of services, support, policies and practice that demonstrate equality, dignity and respect. They help to nurture a positive understanding of faith diversity for the public and staff.
Scottish Women’s Development Forum
The Scottish Women’s Development Forum (SWDF) is Police Scotland's largest diversity staff association. It was established in 2003 to increase the representation of women in policing in Scotland. Now the SWDF works to improve the retention, progression and experience of all colleagues across Police Scotland and SPA.
The SWDF is free to join and open to all serving police officers, special constables and staff members.
The SWDF offers personal and professional development and networking opportunities. It represents the views of their members to the Chief Constable and Force Executive. It also acts as a critical friend to the SPA on matters of equality.
To find out more visit the Scottish Women's Development Forum website.
SEMPER Scotland
SEMPER (Supporting Ethnic Minority Police employees) Scotland is the primary staff association to support and represent all minority ethnic employees.
SEMPER Scotland is committed to inspiring a diverse and inclusive workforce that fully represents Scottish communities.
SEMPER works to ensure that SPA and Police Scotland uphold the principles and practices of racial equality.
For more information please visit the SEMPER Scotland website.
Police Scotland Sikh Association
The Police Scotland Sikh Association (PSSA) aims to champion the values of the Sikh faith and to build a conduit between policing and Sikh communities across Scotland.
The core virtues of the Sikh faith align closely to Police Scotland’s values. The PSSA will uphold these virtues and values as a key partner for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. This will ensure equality for all colleagues with consideration and understanding of faith in the development and delivery of services, policies and practices.
To get in touch, please email SikhPoliceAssociation@scotland.police.uk.
