Cheshire Constabulary recognised with gold award for supporting armed forces community
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Cheshire Constabulary has gained further recognition for supporting the armed forces community.
It has been granted Gold Award status as part of the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
This is one step further from when the Constabulary was awarded silver status in August 2021. To achieve that it needed to have fulfilled certain criteria, including signing the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), pro-actively showing that ex-services personnel are not unfairly disadvantaged in its recruitment and selection processes, employ at least one individual from the AFC category that the nomination emphasises, and must not have been the subject of any negative PR or media activity.
Gold Awards are distributed during a prestigious national event. Once received, the Constabulary is able to display the Gold Award logo on its website and communications.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: "I am thrilled that the Constabulary's commitment to our serving military personnel, reservists and veterans has been recognised at the highest level.
"As Chief Constable, I am very proud that our force is committed to supporting the military in every way we can, and my aim that is we are the employer of choice for those leaving the services."
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer said: “It is an honour that the Constabulary has been awarded this accolade and I am extremely proud that the commitment shown to the armed forces community has been recognised with the Gold Award.
“Cheshire Constabulary is committed to supporting those who have given their all to Queen and country and I am delighted with the hard work that has enabled the force to achieve this award.”
Armed Forces Liaison Officer Graham Evans added: "I am delighted that the Constabulary has been awarded this highest of accolades.
“After receiving a call from Jan Cox, our contact at North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, informing me of the award, I took great pride in telling the Chief that Cheshire Constabulary had received what I regard as appropriate recognition for its support of the Armed Forces Community.”