UK Police Forces Advertise DEI and Culture Roles Paying Up to £75,000 Amid Rising Crime and Falling Officer Numbers

Police forces across the UK are advertising equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights positions with salaries reaching £75,000. GB News reported that Police Scotland is seeking an experienced professional for such a role at that pay level. Devon & Cornwall Police is also recruiting a DEI expert at almost £65,000.

A culture and inclusion lead post is listed at £64,000. Scotland Yard has posted a senior culture lead position in its culture, diversity and inclusion directorate with a starting salary of £62,000 that can rise to £72,000. By comparison, police constables start on between £29,907 and £42,210 depending on region.

GB News reported that hundreds of such DEI roles exist within UK police forces, with total annual salary costs estimated above £10 million. 7 per cent since 2020. 4 per 1,000 in 2024-25.

Police Scotland recorded 123 fewer officers at the end of March 2026 than a year earlier. Crime in Scotland rose three per cent in the year to September 2025. A March 2025 police guideline stated that producing equality of policing outcomes does not mean treating everyone the same and suggested people from ethnic minority backgrounds need to be treated differently.

Police Minister Sarah Jones said the March 2025 anti-racism advice gives the wrong impression. William Yarwood of the Taxpayers' Alliance said taxpayers will be appalled that police forces are hiring highly paid diversity officers while crime rises and frontline policing is stretched. He added that EDI roles inside the police should be abolished and the savings redirected to frontline policing.

After meeting Henry Nowak's family last week, Kemi Badenoch said the family agreed with her to bring back common sense to policing. Zia Yusuf said it is unacceptable that British people's taxes are paying for yet more diversity officers and that Reform UK will scrap DEI on day one. Henry Nowak died in police custody after being falsely accused by Vickrum Digwa of being racist.

The Telegraph revealed that officers fear being accused of racism so much that they would rather mishandle a murder investigation than breach diversity guidelines. The police watchdog claims anti-racism efforts have not gone far enough amid a two-tier policing row. A Met Police spokesman said they police London without fear or favour and continue to strive in serving all communities equally.

The spokesman added that the work of the Culture, Diversity & Inclusion division continues to improve how they serve all communities in line with the New Met for London strategy. A Devon & Cornwall Police spokesman said inclusive workplace cultures were proven to make police forces more effective, more productive and better able to build public trust.

The force described the Culture and Inclusion Lead as a strategic position designed to help build a workforce that is professional, representative of local communities and equipped to deliver the best possible service.

A Police Scotland spokesman said Police Scotland is driving a culture change towards becoming an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory policing service which fully reflects and represents all diverse communities. The spokesman added that officers and staff in dedicated equality and diversity roles, as well as enhanced training, represent an important investment to build a better, more inclusive service.