Support migrant centric journalism today and donate
• WatchThis VideoThe North Wales police has become the latest force in the United Kingdom to use 'positive action' by targeting Polish migrants in a recruitment drive.
Simon Shaw, head of Human Resources at the force, said they are trying to encourage a pool of applicants that mirror the diverse community.
"It is not positive discrimination it is positive action," Shaw said.
Shaw said the service had only received three applications from Polish migrants, despite an estimated 10,000 living in northeast Wales. But he denied that Polish candidates would receive preferential treatment.
"Applications from Polish people will be processed in the usual way. They have to complete the national assessment centre in English like everyone else," Shaw said.
However, the force will refer any Polish applicants to language training centers if they fail to make it through and will reconsider their application after training.
About 300,000 Poles are estimated to have migrated to the UK since the country joined the EU in 2004.
Shaw insisted the force was following Eropean Union guidelines. "The fundamental principle of EU membership is the flexibility of the workplace, and anyone from an EU member state is entitled to apply for jobs here," he said.
Police forces often act with the best intentions, but their actions sometimes land them in hot water. Lancashire Police was criticized earlier this year for offering applicants from ethnic minority groups' guidance workshops on the recruitment process.
Related:
• Wales will top 3 million residents within two years• UK releases report on Eastern European migration
• UK economy helped by workers from eastern Europe
• UK sees slow down in workers from eastern Europe
• Eastern Europe fears brain drain
• A look at Eastern European immigration in the EU
