North Yorkshire Police response to article in The Telegraph

North Yorkshire Police (NYP) is an inclusive employer and respects the rights of all individuals to their beliefs. The expression of those beliefs must always be with due consideration of respect and courtesy in line with our force values and behaviours framework.

In October 2024 a member of staff at North Yorkshire Police was referred to Professional Standards following reports of concern about their behaviour from multiple colleagues. The staff member resigned prior to the disciplinary hearing taking place and was subsequently found by a panel to have committed gross misconduct. As required by this outcome, they were automatically placed on the College of Policing barred list.

In 2025 the individual involved appealed this decision. The appeal was, as is normal process, escalated for the attention of the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police who upheld the appeal, finding that while there were concerns over behaviour, this did not represent gross misconduct nor a breach of any of the Police Staff Standards of Professional Behaviour. The individual was removed from the College of Policing barred list as an appeal outcome.

As an inclusive employer, and in line with our values, North Yorkshire Police believes that cultural awareness training of all faiths is important for our colleagues. As a public service we should properly understand the communities in which we serve and to make sure that North Yorkshire Police is an inclusive organisation where everyone - no matter what their race, religion, sexuality, gender or other belief is - feels like they belong and can contribute to our strength and direction.

Cultural awareness training involves learning about topics such as identity and belonging, hate crime, race, ethnicity, culture and nationality and policing minority communities. It does not involve chanting or religious indoctrination as stated in the article. The training covers multiple faiths and beliefs. It is important for our communities that we have the necessary understanding to police without fear or favour and to provide an outstanding service to the people of York and North Yorkshire to keep them safe and feeling safe. We work as one team to put victims and the wider community at the heart of everything we do so that we can reduce crime and ensure justice for victims.

In April 2026 HMICFRS recognised that North Yorkshire Police is an improving force, and highlighted the strength of our leadership and support for the workforce, stating that North Yorkshire Police is providing staff and officers with the right training to carry out their roles. In the HMICFRS workforce survey of North Yorkshire Police, 92.5 percent (868 of 938 respondents) of colleagues said they felt fairly treated by co-workers. And 89.9 percent (843 of 938 respondents) told HMICFRS that their line manager challenged discriminatory behaviour. Our colleagues also said they felt confident enough to challenge inappropriate behaviour.

In the last 12 months we have introduced a new values and behaviours framework which underpins everything we do and specifically states that we are open to challenge and listen to the different perspectives of all our colleagues. In the last two years, North Yorkshire Police has also made significant progress in preventing and reducing crime which is down by 9.5%, effectively responding to crime, safeguarding the vulnerable and supporting innocent victims of crime. We have one of the highest charge rates in the country. We believe everyone is equal under the law and we will continue to make improvements and to deliver the very best for our communities.