Network launch event ‘empowering’

15 December 2022

At the launch event are (left to right) DC Jas Athwal (Notts), Insp Jas Kaur (Met), PS Nazia Kauser (Notts), ACC Kerrin Wilson (Lincs), PS Kayley Oppon-Kusi (Notts) and PC Saara Nawaz.

Nottinghamshire Police Federation workplace representative Jas Athwal has attended the launch event for the Women of Colour in Policing Network at the College of Policing in Ryton.

The network was formed as a result of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing work around the Race Action Plan and their commitment to inclusion and diversity.

It is committed to working on five key areas: continuous professional development, cultural change, confidence in expression, communications and events, and characteristics and intersectionality.

Jas, a detective constable with the Force,  said she found the launch event an empowering experience.

She said: “As a Sikh female detective with Nottinghamshire Police and a Police Federation representative, it was a fantastic opportunity to represent both organisations at this national event. 

“I learnt a lot about the real struggles women of colour have faced in policing across the country when it comes to recruitment, retention and career progression - both laterally as well as up the ranks. 

“It was empowering to be among such a wide range of people who are committed to supporting others and making a change for the better, which is something we as Fed reps do on a daily basis.”

Jas said the Women of Colour Network was an inclusive group and open to everyone who wanted to be involved in supporting female colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds. 

And she explained there was clearly lots of work to do to address some of the key issues surrounding diversity in policing.

“It was acknowledged that it will take more than just this network to break the cycle and I completely agree with this,” said Jas.

“By educating officers on matters such as intersectionality we can learn to appreciate the different layers to each individual in the organisation and what they bring: there is room for everyone to succeed within policing. 

“Taking the time to understand the different struggles and obstacles people face is the only way to find solutions to tackle them.

“We have a duty to ensure our colleagues are treated fairly and to create an environment of inclusivity for them - no matter who they are.” 

Jas said statistics presented during the event clearly showed  there was a lot of room for improvement when it came to representation of ethnic minority women within policing’s  higher ranks and specialist units. 

“We must ask ourselves what we are doing to remove those barriers,” she said.

Jas was accompanied at the event by an inspector, two sergeants and a PC from the Force.

She said the PC read a poem they had written themselves about diversity which was heartfelt and made a huge impact at the event.

A Twitter account has been set up for the network @NationalWoCiPUK and Jas has urged members to follow this for the latest news and details of the events and support available.