Gender division of labour in detective units
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.032304
I note you seek access to the following information:
I have previously requested data pertaining to the different detective specialisms within your force. I would now like to understand the gender division of labour in detective units. Therefore, could you please provide the following data:
1) Workforce data showing the breakdown of gender within all officer (not police staff) roles and ranks (i.e. the split between officers identifying as male and those identifying as female) (for example, PC: X – Male, Y – Female, P/Sgt.: X – Male, Y – Female, and so forth).
2) Workforce data showing the breakdown of gender within all detective roles and detective ranks (i.e. the split between officers identifying as male and those identifying as female) (for example, “CID: X – Male, Y – Female, and so forth)
Decision
I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement.
Reason for decision
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement - The MPS is charged with enforcing the law and preventing and detecting crime. Any information released under the Act which reveals information related to the workforce of the MPS broken down into specific departments, especially if there are low numbers in a particular area could prejudice the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders. Disclosure could potentially provide any individuals with malicious intent to target particular areas where numbers of officers are low.
Release of some of the information detailing workforce capability would have the effect of compromising law enforcement processes and would also hinder the ability of the MPS to fulfil its primary aim of enforcing the law and protecting the public during day to day policing. As an example if someone with criminal intent were to see that a specific specialised area had low numbers, this may make them more inclined to commit that specific crime.
The disclosure of this information to the public by the MPS would undermine the MPS's ability to properly police and investigate on a day to day basis. Release of the information mentioned above could potentially disclose the workforce capabilities of the MPS and could affect operational situations. After weighing up the competing interests I have determined that the disclosure of this information in full would not be in the public interest.
Disclosure
Please find below data which contains the answers in full to your first and second questions and gives a partial answer to your third question.
Please note I have removed some roles using the above exemption.
Q1 - Workforce data showing the breakdown of gender within all officer (not police staff) roles and ranks (i.e. the split between officers identifying as male and those identifying as female) (for example, PC: X – Male, Y – Female, P/Sgt.: X – Male, Y – Female, and so forth).
Redacted Roles -
| Local OCU's | Female | Male | Total per OCU's |
| Anti-Corruption | 22.00 | 45.75 | 67.75 |
| Business Support | 32.77 | 58.00 | 90.77 |
| Central Management Team | 15.93 | 14.00 | 29.93 |
| Centre of Initial Recruit Learning | 2.85 | 6.00 | 8.85 |
| CID | 892.72 | 953.67 | 1846.60 |
| Coordination Centre | 3.00 | 5.00 | 8.00 |
| Core Practice | 22.45 | 19.00 | 41.45 |
| Crime Recording Invest | 8.64 | 11.71 | 20.35 |
| Delivery Services | 25.70 | 51.00 | 76.70 |
| Investigations | 35.42 | 80.50 | 115.92 |
| Leadership & Support | 22.80 | 65.00 | 87.80 |
| Prevention & Learning | 6.00 | 1.00 | 7.00 |
| Programme Delivery | 8.80 | 16.00 | 24.80 |
| Public Order | 1.00 | 15.00 | 16.00 |
| Response | 174.72 | 181.00 | 355.27 |
| RTP | 26.80 | 35.00 | 61.80 |
| Safeguarding | 860.93 | 925.40 | 1786.33 |
| SCN North East | 61.98 | 149.20 | 211.18 |
| SCN North West | 69.10 | 120.71 | 189.81 |
| SCS South East | 73.08 | 134.00 | 207.08 |
| SCS South West | 79.67 | 135.00 | 214.67 |
| Seconded Out | 13.00 | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Senior Leadership & Support | 0.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Service Delivery Hub | 0.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| SLT | 7.00 | 6.00 | 13.00 |
| Specialist Investigations | 84.95 | 94.00 | 178.95 |
| Specialist Investigations Unit | 14.22 | 10.00 | 24.22 |
| VCTF | 11.53 | 30.00 | 41.53 |
| Vehicle Recovery & Exam Service | 0.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Q2 - Workforce data showing the breakdown of gender within all detective roles and detective ranks (i.e. the split between officers identifying as male and those identifying as female) (for example, “CID: X – Male, Y – Female, and so forth)
All Ranks
| Police Officer Ranks | Female | Male | Total by Rank |
| ACPO | 6.00 | 25.50 | 31.50 |
| Chief Superintendent | 15.00 | 34.00 | 49.00 |
| Superintendent | 56.23 | 152.00 | 208.23 |
| Chief Inspector | 106.38 | 330.80 | 437.18 |
| Inspector | 328.53 | 1105.64 | 1434.17 |
| Sergeant | 1205.76 | 3840.69 | 5046.45 |
| Constable | 8836.00 | 18320.28 | 27156.27 |
| Total by Gender | 10553.90 | 23808.91 | 34362.81 |
All Detective Rank
| Police Officer Ranks | Female | Male | Total by Rank |
| Detective Chief Superintendent | 9.00 | 15.00 | 24.00 |
| Detective Superintendent | 35.24 | 78.00 | 113.24 |
| Detective Chief Inspector | 61.50 | 150.80 | 212.30 |
| Detective Inspector | 148.72 | 398.55 | 547.27 |
| Detective Sergeant | 493.78 | 1137.39 | 1631.17 |
| Detective Constable | 2497.41 | 2821.17 | 5318.57 |
| Total by Gender | 3245.65 | 4600.91 | 7846.56 |