The force has ‘paused’ the application process after itself being accused of discrimination
White male officers were blocked from promotion by West Midlands Police in order to give women and ethnic minority candidates a better chance.
But the force has now ‘paused’ the application process after itself being accused of discrimination by the Police Federation union.
The controversial promotion system was drawn up by its newly formed People and Organisation Development (POD) which has an annual budget of more than £17million.
POD was created last year and boasts a staff of more than 400 people, including its £123,000-a-year director, a Head of Diversity and Inclusion earning up to £65,751 per annum, a Positive Action Manager on £46,422 a year, and a Head of Wellbeing on up to £65,000 annually, reports the Birmingham Mail.
The promotion process was ‘paused’ after being labelled ‘not fit for purpose’ by West Midlands Police Federation, which had received complaints from white male cops.
Officers were invited to apply for promotion on eight occasions over the past year under a new system.
On seven of those rounds, half of all the promotion slots were set aside for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and women candidates.
The remaining 50 per cent were available to those who didn’t have “protected characteristics” under equality laws.
The Federation says the force was aspiring to having 33 per cent of its staff made up of BAME and female employees in the future. But it had protected 50 per cent of the promotion slots for them over the last year.
Then, on the eighth promotional round in September - involving inspectors applying to become chief inspectors - female and BAME candidates could apply for slots allocated to them from the Monday – but those without protected characteristics had to wait until the Wednesday to apply.
By the time white male officers were able to apply, it is claimed many of the limited promotion slots in the process had already been assigned.
The situation sparked up to 20 complaints from white male officers to the union and force.
The force, led by Chief Constable Dave Thompson, advertised for six roles last year worth up to £291,000 in its People and Organisation Department, whose aims include boosting diversity.
The jobs included:*Head of Diversity and Inclusion, paying between £60,270 and £65,751;
*Diversity and Inclusion Manager, earning between £45,435 and £51,756 per year;
*Positive Action Manager role, which boasts a wage between £39,522 and £46,422.
*Three other manager roles: Talent and Progression, Performance Culture, and Learning and Delivery. Each of the latter three pays a salary of between £39,522 and £43,473 per annum.
The terms "piss-up" and "brewery" come to mind!
