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Main Aims:

The main aims of the survey were to:

• Ascertain public opinions on the representation of minority groups in various policing related organisations
• Explore views on the importance of representation of various minority groups within policing and specifically within Lancashire Constabulary
• Measure perceived impact of awareness of the representation of minority groups with the Constabulary on confidence
• Explore perceived benefits of a representative police force

Key points

Awareness and representativeness of policing in general:

Looking at the results as a whole, findings suggest that the representativeness of minority groups (age, gender, ethnicity and disability) within Lancashire Constabulary and within other policing related organisations is an issue for around half of respondents. The remaining respondents are not overly concerned about it as long as they are being provided with a good service.

Awareness and representativeness of policing in Lancashire Constabulary:

You were most likely to consider the Constabulary to be representative in terms of gender and least likely in terms of disability and would be most concerned if females were under-represented in the Constabulary.

You consider it most important for minority groups to be represented within 'call handling staff'.

Visibility and awareness of police officers from minority groups:

In terms of the visibility, awareness and impact of officers from minority groups working within local communities, results suggest that, for a large number of you, it is considered important.

The benefits of having increased visibility and awareness in promoting the Constabulary as a potential employer to these groups were seen as:

• Fostering better relationships with minority groups in local communities,
• Better cultural understanding and awareness
• A reduction of the stereotypical perception of policing as a 'white, male dominated culture'

Impact on confidence of awareness of minority groups being represented in Constabulary:

Awareness would have a positive impact on confidence for around a third of you, for the majority however, this awareness would have no impact.

Potential benefits of a representative police force:

 The Top three benefits identified were:

• better relationships with minority groups in the community,
• better cultural understanding/awareness and
• reduction in perceptions of the traditional ‘white’, ‘male’ cultural dominance in police forces