Disabled Police Association

20/08/2026

The Channel 4 documentary "The Great ADHD Myth?" was broadcast on Tuesday evening 18th August and undoubtedly will have caused upset. The ADHD Alliance National ADHD Support Group are holding a listening circle this evening between 18.30-20.00 (Thursday 20th August).

Link to join the - Listening circle webinar link

db6a0579-4a7c-4454-a2e3-728af79eb237@f3ee2a7e-7235-4d28-ab42-617c4c17f0c1?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/db6a0579-4a7c-4454-a2e3-728af79eb237@f3ee2a7e-7235-4d28-ab42-617c4c17f0c1?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog


This online meeting is a safe space, to allow members of our community to express their views free following what appears to be a highly divisive documentary.

If you are unable to make this event, I hope to run a second listening circle during day time hours. This will be communicated via email



ADHD Alliance National ADHD Support Group - https://adhdalliance.co.uk

For their files and guidance documents please visit - ADHD Alliance - Knowledge hub (requires knowledge hub sign up)

Jenny, Amnesty's Disabled People's Human Rights Network Committee member, responds to the language used to promote Channel 4's documentary 'The Great ADHD Myth?'

05/08/2026

We are pleased to announce that Saima Ashraf MBE has been appointed as Interim President, succeeding Andrea Shoetan, who is stepping down due to health reasons.

Andrea said:
"I know the DPA will continue to go from strength to strength under Saima's leadership. Saima's commitment, enthusiasm and dedication to the DPA shine through, and I am proud to support her through this transition."

In accepting the role, Saima said:
"I am deeply honoured to serve as Interim President. Together, we will continue to champion inclusion, equity and opportunity, ensuring disabled Police Officers and Staff have a strong voice and receive the support they need to thrive."

This is a landmark moment for the DPA, as Saima becomes the Association's first Police Staff President, further strengthening representation and recognising the vital contribution of police staff across policing.

Congratulations, Saima, and thank you, Andrea, for your outstanding leadership and dedication.

For further information, please refer to our official statement:
https://www.disabledpolice.info/dpa-appoints-interim-president-2026/

03/08/2026

Our committee member, Sara Stacey, has been featured in The i Paper which highlights the real-life impact that delays to accessible transport can have on disabled people.

You can read the article here:
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/year-waiting-motability-car-taken-away-independence-4673245?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social_fb_posts&fbclid=IwZnRzaATdGYpwZG9mAWZkaWQWULy1Zd-KkmxXMUS4Po2UNUERBbBhvWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6X75PI7nnDufQj9T_LJX_4jfFqt7eGtN24l4ravfV63B3SLcjf3Gw_KBBy7g_aem_OnyevB0BJXBechb16yZ_fw

Sara’s story is a powerful reminder that accessible transport is not a luxury – it’s a lifeline. It also raises important questions about the barriers disabled people continue to face when accessing the support they need.

Please take a few minutes to read Sara’s story and join the conversation. Together, we can help raise awareness of the importance of timely, accessible support for disabled people.

15/07/2026

We're proud to celebrate Disability Pride Month.

Our committee member, Chief Superintendent Ross Campbell, from Warwickshire Police, has written a blog on why representation matters in policing.

You can read the blog by clicking the link below 👇
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/disabled-police-association_were-proud-to-celebrate-disability-pride-activity-7483107498795827200-X6gF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA35NqwB58Dc2N2e_9Ia_BU8BUH5xvukHZU

09/07/2026

Our Disability in Policing Conference will take place from 2nd-3rd December at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Coventry: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cvthndi-doubletree-coventry/

On the first evening of the conference will be the conference dinner and awards ceremony.

Please submit your nominations here:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DUfCVFZgJEai-EXtqnCasRj8RE0Qz2dPp6FhyhXOX7VUODJJRkk5MkRQUFlOWjNPTEtNTlhDTTJIMSQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

Please note, you can:
-Submit one form per person, however, the same person can be nominated for more than one award using the same form
-Nominate someone in your force or in another force.

This years award categories are:
-Coaching and Mentoring Diverse Abilities
-Service to Disabled Communities
-Inspiration to Others
-Leading with Diverse Abilities
-Officer with Diverse Abilities
-Staff Member with Diverse Abilities
-Volunteer with Diverse Abilities
-Disability Advocate of the Year (whether disabled or not)

The deadline for nominations is 23:59 on Tuesday 15th September.

We wish everyone good luck!

24/06/2026

Our President, Andrea Shoetan, has shared a personal statement announcing her resignation as President of the national Disabled Police Association (DPA) as she begins the process of ill health retirement.

Andrea has led our national network with passion, care, dedication, and integrity.

We are incredibly proud of all that has been achieved during her tenure.

Our committee wish to thank Andrea for her outstanding contribution and invite you to read her full statement here:
https://www.disabledpolice.info/statement-from-dpa-president-06-2026/

Information on applying for the role of DPA President is included within the statement.

05/06/2026

We are pleased to announce we have expanded our committee.

In April, we held an AGM (Annual General Meeting) at New Scotland Yard to update our committee structure to be more inclusive.

The Police Superintendents'​ Association and Police Federation of England and Wales now have a reserved seat indefinitely on our committee.

Having these two organisations join us strengthen our committee, giving us opportunities to share ideas, better understand representation of police officers, and network with senior police leaders.

22/05/2026

Our Disability in Policing Conference 2026 will be taking place on Wednesday, 2 December, to Thursday, 3 December at Double Tree by Hilton, Coventry.

We take a look back at our 2025 conference, featuring Caroline Turner from , Daley Jones from the ADHD Alliance, ColitisCop Ed Rowland from the National Disabled Police Association and Professor John Harrison, Chief Medical Officer for Home Office-associated police Forces.

There are limited spaces available, so register now on our website, link is in our bio.

21/05/2026

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).

The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities.

Do you have a story you would like to share about accessibility?

You can find out more about GAAD here:

Thursday, May 15, 2025, help us celebrate the 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.

07/05/2026

When we formed the DPA Pledge last year, we created a list of 'Police Force Action Requirements', which outlines our expectations and goals for local forces to meet.

One of these goals is to 'commit to achieving Disability Confident Leader Level 3 status'.

Fortunately, the Department for Work and Pensions - DWP has created a series of helpful videos to explain the Disability Confident Scheme.

Below, we have added a playlist of videos we encourage forces that haven't achieved Leader Level 3 status to view:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeysxjNpEPy9vIkY2W2muzVyUDns1x9oC