The Metropolitan Police Service has been named an ‘Employer Champion’ by the Department for Work and Pensions’ Age Positive campaign.
The Met won the award for its success in demonstrating good age practices and commitment to tackling age discrimination in the workplace.
The announcement comes during Age Positive Week – a national awareness week aiming to highlight ageism in employment, and promote the business benefits of an age diverse workforce.
James Plaskitt, Department for Work and Pensions minister, said it was a testament to the Met’s continuing hard work and dedication as it works towards employing a fully age diverse workforce, which accurately reflects the community it serves.
Plaskitt said examples of good practice included the removal of the date of birth from internal application forms, and the Met’s ‘30-plus scheme’, which enables the organisation to retain the skills and experience of officers who might otherwise retire.
Rose Fitzpatrick, the Met’s deputy assistant commissioner, said the force hired people according to their skill, enthusiasm and experience, not their date of birth.
“As such, we aim to provide our city with the best possible police officers and staff, and we are very proud that this award recognises what we have achieved so far,” she said.
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