London, England -- New police recruits are to be asked their sexuality as part of the application process in a bid to attract more lesbians, gay men and bisexuals into the force. It will be incorporated in similar ways that questions on race are included.
The move was initiated by the Gay Police Association who believe the scheme could help to increase the number of gay police officers in the force by up to 10%.
In areas were there were found to be only a few gay officers, recruitment campaigns targeted at the gay community could be used to raise numbers.
Paul Cahill, chairman of the GPA said that, “It will let us see the profile of people who are getting promoted and specialising, and see where they are going within the service, and whether there are any natural barriers for them as lesbian and gay members of staff.”
Pilot schemes are due to start in London and Bedfordshire in the spring.