Category Archives: News

National police dyslexia network launches

New Association aims to support dyslexic staff and promote the benefits of ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ in policing

Officials and guests of the newly-formed Police National Dyslexia Association at the Palace of Westminster

Tuesday 20th February 2024 saw the launch of a new UK-wide network dedicated to supporting dyslexic police officers and staff.

The Police National Dyslexia Association (PNDA) was officially launched in a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster, hosted by Lord Addington, President of the British Dyslexia Association. Guest speakers included Chief Constable Jason Hogg of Thames Valley Police, and Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell of Devon & Cornwall Police.

The launch event featured inspiring accounts of lived experience from dyslexic police officers and staff, and concluded with a presentation at New Scotland Yard by Kate Griggs, CEO and founder of dyslexia advocacy charity Made By Dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a neurodivergent condition that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. The condition is also associated with strong creative and problem-solving skills, and can be found throughout business, science and the arts – famous dyslexic people from past and present include Sir Richard Branson, Tom Cruise and Albert Einstein. The BDA estimates that 10% of the UK population are dyslexic to some degree.

Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell with PNDA Chair and founder Sergeant Maria Canning

The PDNA offers free membership to all police officers, staff and volunteers, and will work alongside the National Police Autism Association, ADHD Alliance and Disabled Police Association to promote neurodiversity in policing. For more information, visit the website at pnda.org.uk

A short film produced by Made By Dyslexia to mark the launch of the charity’s #DyslexicThinking campaign

Hertfordshire Constabulary launches Neurodiversity Champions

Volunteer scheme helps to provide support to neurodivergent officers and staff

Strategic lead for disability Detective Chief Inspector Craig Flint, and Force Neurodiversity Lead Nicola Ponikiewski

Hertfordshire Constabulary have recruited almost 30 Neurodiversity Champions to help support neurodivergent colleagues across the Force. Volunteers have been briefed for the role provided by the Constabulary’s neurodiversity team.

While these champions cannot diagnose conditions such as autism and ADHD, they can provide a listening ear and signpost to resources and further support. Many of them have lived experience and are available to speak to anyone who needs advice or support about neurodiversity.

Strategic lead for disability, Detective Chief Inspector Craig Flint said: “There has been a lot of work taking place to get to this point and I would like to thank those who have been busy behind the scenes to bring this to fruition.

“I would also like to thank those from across the organisation who have volunteered for the role of Neurodiversity Champion, which is a responsibility on top of their day jobs in policing.

“This is a big step forward in our work to support those with neurodivergent conditions within our workforce and also those with neurodivergent family members.

“The work of champions may include helping a supervisor to support a team member with a neurodivergent condition, talking a colleague through the process of obtaining a dyslexia assessment and/or workplace adjustments as well as giving guidance to those who may have family members with neurodivergent conditions.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary, along with local policing partners Bedfordshire Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary, have achieved Disability Confident Leader status – the highest level of accreditation that can be achieved under the Disability Confident scheme.

Click on the link for a news article on the Hertfordshire Constabulary website. ∎

Discrimination finding for autistic police officer rejected from firearms training

Judgement of direct discrimination following decision by Deputy Chief Constable to block claimant’s application due to her neurodivergent conditions

A police officer was wrongly prevented from commencing firearms training because of her autism and dyslexia, an employment tribunal has ruled.

Lauren Crawford, an officer with Cumbria Constabulary, applied to become an Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) in 2019, having successfully qualified to carry a Taser. Despite being supported by the Force Medical Adviser, passing the pre-course assessments and receiving “overwhelming” positive feedback from her supervisor, Deputy Chief Constable Mark Webster blocked the officer from joining the AFO course.

The Tribunal heard that the DCC’s decision had been based on an outdated ‘personal profile’ document written when the officer was diagnosed at University some years previously. The DCC did not meet with PC Crawford or review her AFO application form prior to his decision. The officer attempted to submit a grievance but was advised that there was no route of appeal.

Julia Gargan, Associate at law firm Harbottle & Lewis, said: “The case is a reminder to employers that at all stages of the employment cycle, including during an application process, employees must be treated equally and that a decision regarding an employee should not be made based on assumptions about the potential impact of their disability.”

For further reading, click on the links for an article by People Management, and to download the Tribunal judgement (38 page PDF). ∎