She'd dreamed of joining the police her whole life - but was turned away for 'unjustifiable' reason

For as long as she can remember, Charlotte* had always wanted to join Greater Manchester Police.

Growing up in Urmston, she spent her childhood evenings with the police cadets, learning about the job she dreamed she would one day do. She worked hard at school, spending three years studying public services in college before applying to the force's Police constable degree apprenticeship in November 2022.

But after months of gruelling fitness tests and interviews - all of which she passed - Charlotte received the surprising news she would have to defer her application on the grounds that she suffered from heavy periods, known as menorrhagia. GMP told the 22-year-old it would be 'extremely difficult' to make adjustments for the condition, which they said would 'undoubtedly' have an impact on her fitness.

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In letters seen by the M.E.N from the force's Equality and Assessment Panel, Charlotte was told she would need to 'demonstrate improvement' for her genealogical condition and undergo a 'period of stability.'

She has branded the decision 'unjustifiable', telling the Manchester Evening News she feels she has been a victim of gender discrimination.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," she said. "They literally said that I need to defer my application because they've not been able to find any reasonable adjustments, which really realistically is just me put an extra pad on - is it that big of a deal?"

GMP said they follow Home Office National Police Recruitment Standards for all recruits, and added they have written to