Are you a Freemason and thinking of joining the police force in the UK? You may be wondering if your membership in a fraternal organisation would affect your eligibility to become a police officer. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between Freemasonry and policing in the UK.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that originated in the late 16th or early 17th century. Its members are often referred to as Freemasons or Masons. The organisation promotes moral and personal development, charity, and community service.
While Freemasonry does have some rituals and ceremonies that have religious overtones, it does not espouse any particular religious beliefs.
Similarly, while some individual Freemasons may be politically active or have political beliefs, Freemasonry as an organisation does not take political positions.
Can Freemasons Be Police Officers?
Yes, Freemasons can become police officers in the UK. There is no official policy that prohibits Freemasons from joining the police force.
In fact, many police officers in the UK are Freemasons, especially those of higher ranks.
For more on joining the police, check out this article.
Is It Right For Freemasons To Be Police Officers?
The question of whether it is right for police officers to be Freemasons is a complex one. While being a member of a fraternal organisation should not necessarily be a disqualifying factor for being a police officer, concerns have been raised about the potential for conflict of interest or preferential treatment for fellow members.
Anecdotally, there have been claims of less capable persons being promoted over those with a proven track record of performance, with the suspicion being that this is due to them being members of this organisation.
Clearly, this is at odds with the Code Of Ethics, most notably, honesty, integrity, and transparency.
Also, it raises questions when police forces are trying to ensure that equality, diversity, and inclusion are promoted.
Moreover, the current backdrop of questions being asked about misogyny in policing raises further concerns about the compatibility of Freemasonry’s male-only membership policy with the values of inclusivity and diversity that modern police forces should aspire to.
Ultimately, it is up to individual police forces to set their own policies on membership in fraternal organisations and to ensure that officers are held accountable to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Policing
While there is no official policy that prohibits Freemasons from joining the police force, some people believe that the organisation’s secretive nature and hierarchical structure could interfere with impartiality in law enforcement.
This issue has been raised in parliament on a number of occasions. However, there has always been objection to this, which has resulted in a Bill never being passed.
Wrapping Up: Can You Be a Police Officer If You Are a Freemason?
In summary, being a Freemason does not disqualify you from becoming a police officer in the UK. However, you should be aware of the potential perception of bias or conflict of interest that may arise. It’s important to be transparent about your membership in any organization, including Freemasonry, and to maintain impartiality in your duties as a police officer.
What are your thoughts? Should police officers be allowed to be Freemasons? If so, should they have to declare it? Should this information be public knowledge? Or does Article 2 of the Human Rights Act stand, and people should have a right to a private life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
