Cumbria Constabulary has been recognised for its support of the armed forces community with a special award.
The force has been awarded the Silver Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
The award follows work conducted by the Constabulary since it signed the Armed Forces Covenant in April 2023.
The covenant recognises the value of serving personnel, veterans, Reserve Forces and military families and promises to ensure those that serve or have served, and their families, will be treated fairly.
Written into law, the covenant states that Armed Forces personnel, veterans or their families will not be disadvantaged by their military life.
Deputy Chief Constable Darren Martland, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “It is fantastic news to receive this silver award which recognises our ongoing commitment to supporting former, and serving, services personnel.
“The sacrifices that those in the Armed Forces, and their families, have made and continue to make is highly commendable.
“We will continue to do all we can to ensure the armed forces community are treated with fairness and respect in society and the workplace.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Cumbria Constabulary’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant recognises the value that serving personnel, reservists and veterans bring to our service.
“I am delighted that the Constabulary have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award 2024, as part of their support to the Armed Forces Covenant. This is great news, I know from my work in the NHS what it means to achieve this award and what a difference it can make to recruitment of veterans who bring a wealth of different experiences to the service.
“It is crucial that we create a workforce that is genuinely diverse in its representation and in its thinking. Veterans bring great value to their employers in all walks of civilian life, after military service.
“I truly believe they are a valuable addition to both our policing and fire and rescue teams, and I fully support our organisations working towards obtaining and improving on this award.”