Cleveland Police to recruit new police officers - and hope to attract more women

New figures revealed that there are fewer female police officers in Cleveland than the national average

Cleveland Police is due to recruit new police officers later this year - for the first time in four years.

And the force hopes that the recruitment drive will increase the number of women they employ, after new figures revealed that there are fewer female police officers in Cleveland than the national average.

Of the force’s 1,421 officers, just 24% (344) are women, compared with the national average of 27.3%, according to statistics released under a Freedom of Information request.

But the force does employ more women in senior positions than the national average, with eight women out of 38 at chief inspector and above (21%) - above the national average of 18%.

Iain Spittal, Deputy Chief Constable at Cleveland Police, said: “Cleveland Police is determined to establish an organisation which has a work force that represents the communities it serves.

“This includes seeking to increase the number of female police officers.

“We are pleased that in terms of women in senior positions (Chief Inspector and above) we have more than the national average and, as more women come through the ranks, we would anticipate that this figure would increase further.

“We are not complacent however and realise there is more work to do.

“The force is due to start recruiting police officers later this year and, of course, we have our ongoing recruitment campaign for special constables.

“We hope, and I would encourage, women and men of all backgrounds to apply to join us so that Cleveland Police can more accurately reflect the people it serves.”

The figures also revealed that Cleveland Police has not recruited any police officers, PCSOs or special constables from 2010/11 and 2013/14 - apart from two who have transferred and one who rejoined.

There are currently 1,110 police constables employed in the Cleveland force area - 813 men and 297 women, who make up 1,090 full time roles.

In senior positions, there are seven female chief inspectors, and another woman in the top job - Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer.

More than 200 people showed an interest in becoming a special constable at Cleveland Police when roles were advertised in January this year.

The applicants are now being considered.