Officer shares academic research on neurodiversity in Force
23 September 2025
Earlier this summer, PC Jimmy Croy appeared at the University of Staffordshire’s GradEx Degree Show, delivering a presentation to the University’s Institute of Policing.
Jimmy presented the final research project from his recently completed PCDA, which focused on the challenges experienced by neurodivergent officers at West Mercia Police.
The project investigated the Force’s headcount, inclusivity culture and practical adjustments for officers with conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
It concluded that a stigma of neurodiversity within policing does exist, although West Mercia Police as an individual force has made progress in disrupting this and promoting awareness and support for such officers.
“The opportunity to show my research at the event took me by complete surprise, but it was an absolute privilege,” Jimmy said.
“From my PCDA, I had been used to talking about my work in an academic setting among peers, but this was something on a different level altogether – presenting to an audience who were really expecting a level of insight.
“I was nervous, but it went very well. My talk received second prize on the day, which was a nice moment.
Neurodivergent
“My research is something I’m very proud of – but, as I explained in my talk, it’s not just about what I found, but looking forward to how people can be helped in the future.”
Jimmy elaborated on this by discussing his recommendations to the Force for its care of neurodivergent officers.
“Firstly, I would like to see the Force committing to regular interactions with officers who come forward with a neurodivergent condition, on a one-to-one, no-judgement basis,” he continued.
“Of course, this would require individuals to come forward, and this was something I acknowledged in my research. The information I requested showed a most recent total (2022) of 78 officers with known neurodiversity in the Force, but I would estimate there are hundreds more.
“I say this because in policing, there is an obvious fear of showing weakness and not wanting to jeopardise your job, and that’s what we must keep working to overcome.”
Another key suggestion from the 33-year-old is the removal of adjustments which needlessly single such personnel out in the Force.
Dyslexic
“An example of this would be our notebooks – dyslexic officers can get yellow paper, which is great, but it just makes it more of a ‘thing’ if there’s then a default colour for everyone else.
“If every officer had the choice of multiple different colours in the first place, it would just take away that risk of someone feeling like they stick out.
“I think this kind of attitude is important, because it shows while we are grateful for the Force’s efforts already, we can always strive for more.”
Having passed his PCDA in March this year, Jimmy says he chose this topic as the basis of his final project for multiple reasons.
He pointed towards a lack of previous investigation on neurodiversity specifically within policing, giving him the chance to break new ground and create conversations.
ADHD
There is also personal meaning to his research, with Jimmy himself diagnosed with dyslexia and currently having a diagnosis for ADHD in progress.
“Being dyslexic has impacted my life from an early age. I always knew I wanted to be in the police, but I put it off for 10 years because of my dyslexia,” he said.
“Now I’m here in policing, I want things to get to a stage where no officer feels limited or intimidated in this job because of their neurodiversity.
“Everyone is different in some way, but everyone should be proud of whatever makes them different.”
If you are a neurodivergent officer and in need of support or advice, there are plenty of options available – including contacting your local Fed rep, joining the Force’s neurodiversity network, or reaching out to Jimmy via email.
