Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police forces have undertaken cultural competency training; and what plans her Department has to ensure that that training is rolled out across all forces.

Police forces that reflect and understand the communities they serve are crucial to tackling crime and maintaining public trust and confidence in a modern diverse society. More than ever, diversity is an important part of operational effectiveness. This includes provision of appropriate training for all officers and staff and ensuring the very highest professional standards are maintained throughout their careers.

The College of Policing, who set and maintain training standards for policing, published the Code of Ethics in 2014, which includes equality and diversity among the standards of professional behaviour in the police. The Code is currently being refreshed.

The College’s foundation training for all those entering the service already includes substantial coverage of police ethics and self-understanding. The initial training undertaken by all officers also covers hate crimes, ethics and equalities, and policing without bias.

In addition, we have funded the College to develop a National Police Leadership Centre to create a strong professional framework and standards across policing at all levels. As part of this, the new curriculum for Sergeants includes a module on ‘Inclusive Leadership’, covering organisational and procedural justice, including historical context.