Increasing minority officers is ‘priority’
It is an“absolute priority” to increase ethnic minority representation in Police Scotland, as just over 1 percent of officers are currently from minority backgrounds, MSPS have heard.
The force’s HR director said diversity in the leadership team is “not where we want it to be”, as she set out ways the force is trying to promote inclusion.
Holyrood’s Equalities Committee yesterday heard evidence from a number of public sector bodies on how they are improving employment practices.
Jude Helliker, Police Scotland’s director of people and development, said the force is designing a new testing system which aims to “level the
playing field” for candidates applying to join.
The current test produced a 20 percent discrepancy between ethnic minority and white Scottish candidates, she said.
Responding to a question from committee member Mary Fee, Ms Helliker said: “I think we can always do better.”