A TWO-DAY recruitment campaign is to be held to make ethnic police officers less of a minority.

In an effort to increase the number of police officers, support staff and volunteer Special Constables from minority ethnic communities, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is staging Open Days at the Force training School, Sedgley Park, on Saturday and Sunday (June 21-22).

The events are designed to show people who may be interested in a police career the training facilities available and give them a taster of how they can progress in the police service.

During the days, visitors will be able to take a tour of the skills house, have a look round the classrooms and training facilities, and talk to staff from specialist departments including traffic, dogs, mounted and the Tactical Aid Unit. They can also take a mock initial recruitment test and watch a self-defence demonstration. The gym, library and prayer room will be open to view.

As an equal opportunities employer, GMP will have representatives from the Black and Asian Police Association, the Jewish Police Association, the Lesbian and Gay Staff Affiliation and the Police Federation who can tell potential recruits about life as a police professional.

GMP's recruitment unit manager, Christine Joyce, said: "These Open Days are part of our on-going Project 8000 recruiting programme designed to attract a further 800 officers over the next year.

"While we are looking to attract staff from all backgrounds, we are particularly targeting people from minority ethnic communities where we feel we are under-represented at present.

"Apart from a career as a police officer, we regularly recruit for support staff to work in many of our departments such as call-takers in our Area Operations Rooms, Scientific Services, Personnel and Administration. Additionally, we are always on the look-out for Special Constabulary volunteers who have paid employment but would like to undertake police work in their spare time".

GMP's Training School is based at Sedgley Park Road in Prestwich and the events are open between noon and 4pm each day.