Diversity

The North Herts frontline cop recalls his 2010 secondary school work experience ‘ride-along’ with local police officers as a turning point when he was able to help officers aid a victim of crime by stepping in to translate, speaking Punjabi.

“I saw there and then another real difference I could make, breaking down cultural barriers between the police and the public.”

Taz continued: “I grew up with uniforms, mum working at A&E, uncles and cousins in the fire and police service, so public service was a natural step for me – helping people at their worst times. But I know that for other people from my background, Sikhs, Black people, Muslims, Hindus, and other protected characteristics, there are cultural barriers. I want to reach out and make a difference by getting the right people into our police force.”

Taz has lost count of how many people he has supported. He’s given talks to students at schools and colleges across Herts, as well as universities, and enjoys inspiring people to consider a policing career.

“I’m very passionate about coaching and mentoring, there’s nothing better than being part of a student’s journey into their dream job, I love it,” Taz smiles. “And I know it’s going to better the organisation in the long run, too, bringing the best people in, it’s a role I take personally.

“One of the biggest cultural barriers is policing not being seen as a profession with a qualification. I sometimes talk to the parents of people I’m mentoring, who want their son or daughter to be a doctor or an optician, and explain the opportunities for promotion in policing, for example. I think the new PEQF entry routes, meaning that police officers degrees prior to joining, or working to achieve one during their probationary period being funded by our organisation, will break down that barrier.”

Taz says more young people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds now mention being part of a bigger social change as a motivation to join policing.

“I think this is so important. They want to be the change in society, to help it happen. Those candidates are incredibly important to the organisation as it promotes not only diversity in society, but diversity of thought too.

“I’ve spent the last 18 years within policing, but in the short time I’ve been here training, I can honestly say that Hertfordshire Constabulary has done more for me as a Muslim officer than anywhere else.”

Mo was assigned a Positive Action mentor, DC Jasbir Pawar, to support him through the whole application process. “They called me and emailed me to see if I needed any help or support through the assessment centre and through the different stages, which felt so good. Before the internal interview I had a call where I went though some of my research which was great because I was talking to someone who looked like me, had gone through it all before and knew the possible barriers and difficulties and told me I’d smash it! It was seamless.”

Now part-way through his training in Welwyn Garden City, father-of-two Mo, 44, is already looking forward to becoming an ambassador for the force, encouraging more people from ethnic minority backgrounds to become police officers.

“Being a British Bengali Muslim I do like to practice my faith and when I first arrived I asked my staff trainer where I could go to wash myself and do prayers and it was no problem, there was a room for me.

“I’ve had none of that looking over my shoulder when I walk around police premises, like I’ve had before, with people looking suspiciously at me, being Asian, with a beard and wearing a uniform. It’s been a joy because people are so nice and welcoming and I feel at home.”