In these touchy-feely times it seems that everyone needs a shoulder to cry on – and now even hard-bitten frontline policemen have been given their own support group.

City of London Police have created the first staff network for male officers after realising every other group had one, including women, gay people, Christians and Muslims.

The force set up the Men’s Network last month to ensure they feel as ‘valued and represented’ as everyone else.

In these touchy-feely times it seems that everyone needs a shoulder to cry on – and now even hard-bitten frontline policemen have been given their own support group

Kam Dhaliwal, City of London Police’s Equality and Inclusion Manager, said in a report: ‘It is the first men’s network that focuses on every part of a man’s life.’

The paper, presented to City’s police committee last month, stated that men make up three-quarters of the force’s officers and almost half of its civilian staff. But until now it has only had staff support networks (SSNs) for ‘LGBT, Women, Health & Well-being, Disability, Muslim, Christian/Force Chaplain’.

‘It is recognised that some men do not identify with the current SSNs and there is reluctance to engage. By introducing a men’s network, it will provide all staff with an SSN that they could relate to and it will create a more inclusive working environment.’

City of London Police have created the first staff network for male officers after realising every other group had one, including women, gay people, Christians and Muslims

However, the network, which is voluntary to join, will not just focus on men’s roles in policing.

‘The City of London Police recognise that their male staff may have numerous roles such as father, partner, son, carer and co-parent,’ the report said, noting that men are more likely to commit suicide than women and less likely to talk about their problems or seek help if they are a victim of abuse.

‘In light of this, the Men’s Network will focus on issues that promote general well being of all, but it will focus on areas where men might feel disadvantaged or require more support and understanding.’

Nationwide, there are groups for police as varied as the Pagan Police Association, the National Trans Police Association and the Jewish Police Association.