West Yorkshire Police implemented a temporary policy prioritizing applications from under-represented ethnic minority groups, delaying applications from white British candidates. This resulted in a tiered system ranking candidates based on ethnicity.
The policy has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics including former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who labeled the leadership as "ideologically captured." Conservative politicians labeled the policy "disgraceful" and called for its end, while the shadow home secretary deemed it morally wrong.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, defended the policy as complying with fair recruitment standards.
While positive discrimination is illegal in England and Wales, "positive action" is permitted, requiring all hiring to be merit-based. At least five forces have employed "bespoke" coaching for ethnic minority candidates, raising concerns about legal compliance.
West Yorkshire Police maintains that the policy complies with the law and assures that all applications will be fairly assessed against the same criteria.