§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efforts are being made to encourage more women and members of ethnic communities, with particular reference to the Chinese community, to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [55720]
§ Jane KennedyConsensia have taken particular account of the need to attract more women and members of ethnic communities in both the design and publication of advertisements for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Familiarisation days, consisting of presentations from various specialisms within the Police Service, have also been held for both females and the Chinese community in the course of marketing the PSNI as a worthwhile career.
Under section 48 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, the Policing Board are required to make an action plan for monitoring the number of women in the service, and for increasing their numbers if they are underrepresented.
In addition, part-time working arrangements have been introduced to encourage more women to consider a career in the Police Service.