Skills and knowledge database improves lines of communication

West Yorkshire Police has developed a new initiative to better serve local people from minority groups.
Staff within the Kirklees division who are from a diverse background or have a particular skill or knowledge are bringing together their knowledge to create an advisory network.
The database of knowledge can be used by other staff to advise them on issues or situations arising in the working day.
Already the skills and knowledge network has proved successful. A helpdesk officer assisting a deaf member of the public was able to contact a member of staff with sign language skills through the database.
Another member of staff, who heard about the database on a training day, was able to provide a professional and personal service to a German man who could not speak English by contacting an officer who spoke German.
And an officer with knowledge of the Sikh religion and culture was called upon to deliver bad news to a local Sikh family.
Inspector Mohammed Rauf, of the Huddersfield North neighbourhood policing team, came up with the idea together with Kirklees PC Mohammed Aziz and says there are many examples of its benefits:
“As an organisation we employ a diverse group of people with different religious, cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds. There is a wealth of information, which can be referred to as ‘situated knowledge’. I see this as being locked inside our staff and is simply waiting to be accessed. This knowledge is specific to a particular situation, and can often be embedded in language, culture, or traditions.
“We need to enable and encourage every member of our staff to use all their skills and abilities in the pursuit of reducing crime and building safer communities. I think the network encourages an equality of access to policing services and ensures that police powers are used proportionately and fairly.
“Already within the Kirklees database we have officers with an understanding of Ukranian, Bosnian, German, Polish, Asian and black cultures, many of whom have dual language skills. Our officers have knowledge surrounding Christian, Islam, Hindu, Sikh and Church of the Latter Day Saints religions. A number of officers also have sign language skills.
“This skills and knowledge network means we are able to support and assist other staff across the division in policing the diverse communities from a broader and more in-depth perspective.
“We will be able to tap into and utilise the innate skills and abilities of our staff to their full potential with a view to addressing issues within our communities.
“Ultimately, it will aid us to better understand the different customs, cultures, religions and practices in the area and enable us to react to the public’s needs quickly and with a bespoke personal service.”