Man Slams British Transport Police Over Recruitment Workshops for Minority Groups
Henry Tamplin, MetroUK, October 11, 2017
An aspiring police officer has criticised the force for wanting to employ more women and people from ethnic minorities.
Yes, seriously.
The man accused the British Transport Police (BTP) of discrimination because the force held recruitment workshops open only to ‘women and black or ethnic minority’ candidates.
BTP said it hosted the events in London, Manchester and Birmingham to encourage more applications from minority groups.
But the candidate who applied for a job told Metro.co.uk: ‘I am a white heterosexual male and also a member of the armed forces, how can a public service blatantly support this kind of discrimination and inequality in 2017?
‘I am going to withdraw my application due to having been treated in such a manner.’
At the workshops, aspiring recruits receive help with application forms and mock tests, are given coaching, and have the chance to meet serving officers.
The BTP’s website states: ‘In line with our Positive Action initiative we are initially only offering this workshop to women and black/minority ethnic groups who are currently under-represented in the force.’
Simon Downey, director of capability and resources, said the workshops are ‘designed specifically to speak directly to these groups’ to encourage more people to apply.
He added that no one will face discrimination during the hiring process.
BTP wants to increase the number of women in senior posts and officers who are black or from an ethnic minority, which is currently about 10% of the workforce.
