HC Deb 22 October 2001 vol 373 cc67-8W
27. Jane Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve retention of female officers in the police force. [5168]

Mr. Denham

The police reform process should deliver working conditions and practices which will support all officers and in particular female officers. We have already taken action to support more flexible working practices; we have recently laid the Police (Amendment) Regulations 2001 which will, from 1 November, extend part-time working to chief inspector rank. This, and a report which the Home Office is about to publish on flexible working in the police service, should greatly assist chief officers to adopt a more strategic approach to improve recruitment, retention, efficiency and effectiveness.