Women in the Emergency Services

Police

 

Figures from July 2009 show that:

• 25.1 per cent of the police force are women, this has gone up from 24.2 per cent in March 2008.
• 13.0 per cent of those in the higher ranks (Chief Inspector and above) are women, this is an increase from 12.3 per cent.
• 27.9 per cent of those of Constable Level and above are women, an improvement from 27.0 per cent.

 

Fawcett’s Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System published in May 2009 concluded that standards within the police force are often defined in line with men’s standards. For example, fitness tests focus on upper body strength rather than the fitness requirements necessary for the role.

To read the rest of the Commission’s findings go to:

 http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/Commission%20report%20May%2009.pdf

 

Fire Service

 

Figures from March 2008 show that:

• 14.1 per cent of employees were women.
• Only 19.1 per cent of women employees were in operational roles.
• The percentages of women in operational roles vary dramatically from one authority to another; in Gloucestershire women make up 7.2 per cent of operational staff compared to 1.3 per cent in Manchester.

 

Figures from 2007-08 show that:

• 8.6 per cent of those who applied for operational roles were women.
• 9.2 per cent of successful candidates were women.

 

The Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Strategy 2008-2018 has set out targets which it wishes to achieve by 2013. These include:

• At least 15 per cent of operational sector staff entrants to be women.
• North and West Yorkshire are aiming to meet this target, and South Yorkshire is hoping to exceed it with 18 per cent.
• Parity in retention rates between men and women, and minority ethnic and white employees.

 

In March 2009, the fire and rescue service announced the introduction of new uniforms in order to meet the requirements of a more modern and diverse workforce. It is hoped that the changes made to uniform will encourage applicants from a wider range of backgrounds. The fire service hopes that supplying women firefighters with appropriately fitting uniforms will help to retain their numbers.

 

Sources:

• Home Office Statistical Bulletin: Police Service Strength, 23 July 2009.
• The Fawcett Society, Engendering Justice – From Policy to Practice: Final report, May 2009.
• Communities and Local Government, Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Report 2009.