Bedfordshire Police: Transforming Culture, Leading Inclusively, Engaging Communities
An Above Difference Leadership Programme for Chief Inspectors and Inspectors
Hi and Welcome,
I’m Jennifer Izekor, CEO and Founder of Above Difference. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to our “Transforming Cultures, Engaging Communities” Inclusive Leadership Programme. Over the coming months, we are dedicated to offering you a distinct blend of evidence-based leadership skills and capabilities, specifically curated for your roles as Chief Inspectors and Inspectors within Bedfordshire Police. This online portal is designed to provide you with information about the programme, its content and relevant dates and times as well as provide you with access to downloadable resources.
This initiative is uniquely structured to enhance your ability to lead, manage, and connect effectively with both internal and external stakeholders. I want to assure you, this is not just another EDI programme. At Above Difference, we stand by the conviction that exceptional leadership transcends all levels of an organization, ensuring every member feels respected, valued, and understood.
We’ve spent the past two years collaboratively working with the Chief Officers Group to foster a culture of intelligent and inclusive leadership at the apex of the organization. It’s been inspiring to witness the application of these principles by the Chief Constable and senior officers throughout their ongoing cultural and leadership journey.
Building on this foundation, my colleague Andy and I will guide you through a range of innovative concepts and practices, including Cultural Intelligence, Value-Based Leadership, Psychological Safety, Change Leadership, and Inclusive Leadership, during our intensive three-day workshop.
Our goal is for you to not only grow as leaders but also as individuals who can significantly impact the lives of those you lead, your peers, and the communities you serve.
The Above Difference team and I are excited to embark on this transformative journey with you.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Izekor
I’m delighted to see the Above Difference Programme being rolled out across our force.
Each of the ADP sessions you’ll undertake are an opportunity to grow in cultural knowledge, understanding and awareness, enabling our force to achieve a truly inclusive culture.
As Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police, and having completed the Above Difference Programme myself, I remain committed to bringing to life our force’s Be You Identity by promoting truly inclusive spaces and opportunities.
We can only be our best for the communities we serve when we are intentional about getting to know more about them. Likewise, a force that is representative of its local community is better equipped forsuccess.
Adopting and facilitating a more inclusive approach means we also create safe and conducive environments for individuals from all walks of professional and personal life to join our force and flourish realising their full potential.
This part of the programme will focus on how leaders lead all of their people well and look to enhance our cultural intelligence when engaging with all of our Communities and help us to understand better the diverse backgrounds that makes those Communities flourish. In turn enhancing our force wide capabilities in both of these areas will allow us to deliver against the National Race Action Plan to which our response is a programme dedicated to Improving Policing for Black people in Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire police’s ability to strengthen its external and internal partnerships, as well as build and maintain trust and confidence with members of the our communities will be further solidified through this programme and help us to continue to recognise the strength that our diversity brings to the service we provide to our communities, and where all of us feel valued and included.
I am encouraged by the great work being delivered by so many officers and staff and we will continue to welcome and contribute to the retention of colleagues from diverse backgrounds, who represent the progressing communities we serve daily.
Trevor Rodenhurst
Chief ConstableIntroduce and Define
The Bedfordshire Police “Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours, Engaging Communities.” Leadership Development Programme
Thank you for coming this far. This 51-minute presentation is an introduction to the programme and will introduce you to Above Differences and tell you all about the unique Inclusive Leadership programme developed for Bedfordshire Police. Please find time in your busy schedule to watch it as it will help you prepare for the programme. If you have any issues accessing the presentation, please contact us at ADProgrammes@abovedifference.com
Programme Learning Objectives
Equip participants with the ability to recognise, understand, and apply cultural intelligence in their leadership styles to effectively manage and lead diverse teams within the law enforcement context.
Focus on adaptive leadership techniques that enable leaders to successfully navigate and lead through the complexities of societal changes and internal organisational dynamics.
Teach leaders to create environments where all team members feel safe to express their thoughts and ideas in safe ways that contribute to more innovative and inclusive workplace cultures.
Instruct leaders on how to incorporate core values into decision-making processes, ensuring that all actions and policies are aligned with the principles of fairness, equity, and respect for diversity.
Provide strategies and skills for effective community engagement, enabling leaders to build trust and foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Provide leaders with effective strategies and models for leading change, focusing on understanding the dynamics of change within the organisation and how to lead others through transitions smoothly and confidently.
Your Learner Journey
Step One: Attend the One–Hour Programme Briefing Session Online
This online session will offer you an opportunity to meet the Above Difference Team and gain an insight into the building blocks of the programme.
Step Two: Look out for your CQ Self Assessment link and fill in your assessment report
It will take about 20 minutes to fill in, will be confidential to you and is an integral part of developing your self awareness as an individual and a leader.
Step Three: Accept the Invitation for your programme which will deliver over three non-consecutive days
You will be assigned a cohort (A, B or C) and will continue as part of this cohort for the duration of the programme.
The Above Difference Programme Team
Senior Facilitator
Jennifer Izekor
Founder and CEO, Above Difference
jennifer.izekor@abovedifference.com
Jennifer Izekor is the CEO and Founder of Above Difference. She is an Advanced Accredited Cultural Intelligence Trainer and Facilitator licenced by the Cultural Intelligence Center in Grand Michigan USA. Recently described by Professor David Livermore as ‘one of the best CQ Trainers on the planet’, Jennifer is absolutely passionate about Cultural Intelligence and it’s relevance to the ongoing dialogue around inclusion and diversity particularly in the public sector.
Jennifer brings an extensive background in Senior Leadership to every programme developed and delivered by Above Difference. She is a John Maxwell Certified leadership Coach, trainer and speaker and understand the challenges leaders from all backgrounds face in making Inclusion a reality for all in their organisations. As a black woman she brings her own ‘lived experience’ but is also committed to delivering programmes where the experience and perspectives of all participants are valued and engaged.
Over the last 30 years Jennifer has held a number of senior roles across the public sector including as a Senior Civil Servant leading on regional government initiatives, A Chief Executive of a £30M public private sector partnership, An Non Executive Director on a public board a College Governor and a public Appointee.
Senior Facilitator
Andy Bennett QPM
Senior Associate Facilitator & Partner Above Difference
Associate Leadership Trainer, College of Policing
Chief Officer for Special Constabulary, Avon and Somerset
andypbennett@abovedifference.com
Andy Bennett has served in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary for over 34 years, taking on the role of Chief Officer for the Special Constabulary as a volunteer after retirement. He was awarded the Queens Police Medal in 2020 for his years of distinguished community policing work, bringing communities and policing together. Andy was the force’s lead on hate crime.
During his time on the force, Andy developed his practice in Cultural Intelligence, becoming an Advanced Accredited Cultural Intelligence Trainer and Facilitator. He is a Senior Associate Partner with Above Difference, facilitating Masterclasses and developing clients through coaching.
Andy is an Associate Leadership trainer with the College of Policing and has developed a successful practice as a leadership coach and public speaker drawing on his years of experience. He is currently working towards an MA in Leadership and Management.
Programme Delivery
Neyma Mildred Ali
Director of Programme Delivery
neyma.ali@abovedifference.com
Executive Support
Elizabeth Odioko
Executive Assistant to the CEO
elizabeth.odioko@abovedifference.com
Programme Schedule (Dates)
The Programme
Day One: Transforming Cultures, Leading Inclusively, Engaging Communities Part One
Day Two: Transforming Cultures, Leading Inclusively, Engaging Communities Part Two
Day Three: Transforming Cultures, Leading Inclusively, Engaging Communities (Planning and Implementation)
Venue and Practical Details
All programmes will be held in person at the Training Centre (Wyboston Lakes, Great North Road, Wyboston, Beds, MK44 3AL )
Please aim to arrive at 9.30 a.m. for a 10.00 a.m. start
The programme will finish at 4.30 p.m. on each day
COHORT A
- Programme Briefing Session (Online) – 16th of May 2024 11:00-12:00
- Programme Day One – 24th June 2024
- Programme Day Two – 25th June 2024
- Programme Day Three – 12th September 2024
COHORT B
- Programme Briefing Session (Online) – 17th of May 2024 11:00-12:00
- Programme Day One – 27th June 2024
- Programme Day Two – 28th June 2024
- Programme Day Three – 24th September 2024
COHORT C
- Programme Briefing Session (Online) – 22nd of May 2024 11:00 to 12:00
- Programme Day One – 3rd July 2024
- Programme Day Two – 4th July 2024
- Programme Day Three – 26th September 2024
Video testimonials
We thought it might be helpful to hear what your leaders have to say about working with Above Difference. These testimonial videos were recorded last year as part of our fifth year anniversary celebrations.
Programme Resources
Watch this space as you will be able to download some of the resources (handouts, video links, training material ) we will provide you with once the programme starts.