Building our workforce,
reflecting our communities
What could you do?
Welcome to Positive Action
Positive Action is a range of measures and initiatives that we can lawfully take to actively encourage people from communities that are under-represented to bring their talent, experiences and expertise to our organisation when applying to join us.
When applying to join us, our selection processes are no different. Through the use of Positive Action, we do not seek to remove competition, rather, to allow everyone the same level of opportunity where final selection for a post is always made on the merit of the applicant.
We aim to build our workforce so that it reflects the rich diversity and complexities of our communities by attracting the best talent from the widest pool of people.
We use the term ‘under-represented’ to describe where the diversity of the communities we serve is not accurately reflected in our workforce and are proud to have a policy where we utilise Positive Action to help us achieve this.
This recruitment support is for people from a minority ethnic background, women, young adults under 25 and people with disabilities.
Is it the same as Positive Discrimination?
In a word, no. The two are very different and are very often confused.
Positive Discrimination means employing someone just because they come from an under-represented group giving an unfair advantage and is unlawful.
Positive Action is a lawful activity to ensure there is fairness to all that apply where everyone has a ‘level playing field’ from the start.
What do we do?
Our dedicated positive action team are situated throughout both Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police areas and are able to support people in a manner of different ways.
The support we provide takes many forms and is very much tailored to fit individual needs and takes it's form from one to one telephone support, regular interactive support programs and webinars though to face to face contact.
We engage with a large range of community groups and work closely with our Diverse Communities Teams to assist with recruitment events and ensuring that Positive Action is included in everything that our organisations do.
To keep in touch with us, find out more about what we are up to and where we are in our community, visit our twitter page below!
Meet the team in-person events
Join the team at one of these in-person events
Devon & Cornwall Events
Drop-in and speak with us for more information about joining the police and the support we offer.
Exeter Library Drop-in Session |10:00am-2:00pm
Oct 5 - 26 | Nov 2 - 9 - 23 - 30
Plymouth Hope/Future Youth Centre | 13 Beaumont Rd, Plymouth, PL 4 9BA
Every Wednesday and Friday | 10:30am-1:00pm
DBI – Diversity Business Incubator | The Plot – Jabulani
80-84 Union Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, PL1 3EZ
Last Thursday each month | 3:00pm-5:00pm
Highlighted Event
Celebration of Culture Festival | Lemon Quay, Truro
Saturday, 30 September between 11:00am-6:00pm
Join the Positive Action team in at this vibrant cultural event.
Dorset Events
Please drop by and speak with the team about working for the police and the support we offer.
Bournemouth University Part-Time Job Fair | Talbot Campus
4 Oct. 11:00am-3:00pm
QE School Career Fair | Wimborne
11 Oct. 5:00pm-7pm
Positive Action BHM event | Bournemouth Library
16 Oct. 3:00pm-6:00pm
Bournemouth University Annual Career Fair | Talbot Campus
17 Oct. 11:00am-3:00pm
Beaminster School Job Fair | Beaminster
19 Oct. 9:00am-12:30pm and 7:30pm-10:30pm
Are you thinking of applying?
If you are considering applying for a role within Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police and Positive Action is something you think would interest you, please fill in the form below.
If you require any assistance with your registration please email the team below:
Email the Positive Action Team
You may be interested in a Police Officer role, Special Constable role, Police Staff role or Volunteer role.
A member of our Positive Action Team will contact you to understand the sort of role you are looking to apply for and discuss what assistance we can provide.
What happens after you fill in the form?
Out Positive Action Team will be in touch with you using the contact details you have provided to establish with you the support you may require.
So that we can identify what support you require, we will carry out an assessment via telephone. This will be a chat with one of our Positive Action Officers to find out more about where you are in relation to a recruitment process or what roles you are interested in. They will want to identify any barriers that may be presenting themselves to you. The Positive Action Officer will be able to provide you with information, opportunities and general support which will be ongoing throughout your recruitment journey.
We endeavour to make contact with you within 7 days of receiving your information, however this timescale will be dependent on operational demand.
Who does Positive Action apply to?
UK legislation enabled Positive Action initiatives and activities to take place, where an under-represented group is identified around issues of Gender, Disability, Race, Age, Sexual Orientation and Religion or Belief. This is not a legal requirement but there are provisions that have been made available within the Equality Act 2010 for positive action to take place.
So that we can address the imbalance in both Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police we particularly encourage applications from the following identified under-represented groups and communities to join our family.
- Women
- Young People
- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities
- People with Disabilities
Black History Month
Each year we celebrate Black History Month to recognise contributions made by people from the Black community, including black and ethnic police officers and staff, to every aspect of our lives. To find out more, or to access some of the resources that were published during this period, please select the button below
Frequently Asked Questions
To find out more about the Positive Action scheme and how this could benefit you, please select the button of the Force you are interested in below.