If police forces are to be truly diverse and represent the communities they serve, they should recruit more middle-aged officers, a senior police leader has suggested.
According to the latest Home Office data, just one per cent of officers in England and Wales are aged 55 or over, with the vast majority retiring before they reach that age.
However, with more than 40 per cent of the population aged over 50, there are questions about whether the service is doing enough to reflect and prioritise the needs of the older community.
The physically demanding nature of traditional police work meant that it was not well suited for older people. However, with an increasing number of roles now being desk-based and less physical than was traditionally the case, there is increasing scope for older officers.
Increasing age profiles
Chief Superintendent Paul Griffiths, the president of the Police Superintendents’ Association, said that if the service was keen to prove it was serious about diversity and inclusion, it should not just focus on race, gender and LGBT+ issues, but should consider increasing its age profile.
He added that the current uplift programme was a good opportunity to bring in recruits with valuable life experience.
Ch Supt Griffiths said: “The importance of diversity and inclusivity in policing is not just people with protected characteristics. It is also diversity of experience or thinking. Not all officers are required to break down doors and chase suspects. There are other roles that are suitable for older people.
“The majority of the intake during the uplift programme, as you can imagine, has been 18- to 26-year-olds, because for them the salary is acceptable, the opportunity to come out after three years with a degree is really important and they have an opportunity to gain valuable life experience.
“So what has resulted is that throughout the service, there has been an age profile reduction. Those younger in age will have less experience of life. That is just a natural consequence.”
