TeamPolice Hosts Successful 'Inclusion in Police Sport' Event
Monday, 14 October, 2024
On Monday 7th October, TeamPolice, in partnership with Salesforce, IDEMIA, and Verkada, hosted a thought-provoking 'Inclusion in Police Sport' event at Salesforce Tower, London. The event brought together key figures from across UK policing and sports, creating an evening filled with insightful discussions, unique perspectives, and strong commitments to fostering inclusivity and wellbeing within police sport.
The event featured a brilliant lineup of speakers: Paralympian Issy Bailey, Chief Inspector Stewart Codling, Chief Inspector Caroline Hay MBE, and Rachel Kearton, Chief Constable of Suffolk and Co-Chair of PSUK. Together, they led engaging conversations on the importance of gender balance and inclusion in sports. They emphasised how inclusivity can enhance both the mental and physical wellbeing of those working in policing. As a Co-Chair of PSUK, Rachel Kearton shared her valuable insights on the critical role that inclusion has to play in the future of Police Sport.
Key Takeaways from the Evening:
Chief Inspector Caroline Hay MBE :
"Inclusion in sports can mean different things to different people, but ultimately, true sports inclusion should not depend on gender, age, or ability-it should be open to all in policing and championed through open dialogue and key advocates like TeamPolice."
Chief Inspector Stewart Codling noted:
"Thanks to TeamPolice and the event sponsors for creating this vital platform for discussions on improving inclusion in Police Sport. Expansion and change are needed, and it's inspiring to be part of the movement for positive progress."
Verkada echoed the sentiment, saying:
"Verkada is proud to have sponsored such an important event. We're committed to working with police forces to foster inclusion and support through innovative solutions."
The evening also received coverage from PolicingTV, who highlighted:
"A fantastic evening at Salesforce Tower, with many police colleagues discussing diversity and inclusion in sport. Look out for more on PolicingTV soon!"
The event saw an excellent turnout from across UK police forces, including representatives from the City of London Police, Essex Police, and Staffordshire Police, who shared their own experiences and passion for driving inclusivity in police sports.
A Platform for Change
The 'Inclusion in Police Sport' event demonstrated once again how sport can act as a powerful beacon for change, supporting wellbeing across the policing community. Events like this are crucial for creating open dialogue and encouraging positive actions to make police sports more inclusive and accessible to all, with increased participation in Police Sport - positive workforce outcomes follow.
By encouraging time for officers to engage in sport, we can reduce stress, improve morale, and ultimately lower sickness levels-leading to more efficient use of police resources. Rather than managing the costs of sick leave, we can invest in a healthier, more resilient workforce that's better equipped to serve the community.
Supporting wellbeing through sport is not just a benefit to individuals, it's a smarter way to better manage police resources.
TeamPolice extends a heartfelt thank you to our partners and sponsors-your support is crucial in continuing these conversations and driving meaningful change.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from this impactful event, including coverage from PolicingTV and next year's follow up event.
By Ajay Hanspal
