At the end of 2011 having experienced racism and homophobia at work which had made me unwell, I challenged my employer with discrimination at an Employment Tribunal as I felt it was the right thing to do.

However, this decision by me to stand up for what I believe in ultimately led to the end of my career as a Police Detective after a decade of public service.

Prior to being a detective with the Metropolitan Police Service as an intelligence gatherer, I was a criminal investigations detective with the Greater Manchester Police dealing with serious crime.

In 2012, I gave my notice to resign The Office of Constable which was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The end, of a dream.

Various people have told me that, someone like me will have no problem getting a new job with an organisation that respects me for who and what I am – but, how true is this?

In these times of austerity, I am not naïve to think that I might just end up ‘another’ unemployment statistic in Britain David Cameron refers to.

Even more so because not only have I challenged a powerful organisation with regards to discrimination, my sexuality and suffering with depression is out in the public domain as a result of my private data being leaked to The Sun newspaper.

I do not have the luxury of having such a private life as this was taken away from me, so I have to be a lot more up front with things than most because of the circumstances I have found myself in.

Statistically, British black men are much more likely to not be in employment than their white counterparts. So, with my race, sexuality, disability and fight for equality in the public all thrown in together – how will I fare, in my search for a job?

At Employment Tribunals, the onus is on the Claimant like myself to mitigate his or her future losses. This basically means, I have to do all I can to secure new employment and prevent any unnecessary financial detriment to the Metropolitan Police Service.

Although this might seem harsh and/or unfair, it is a reality – even if, my policing career coming to an end was not my fault.

With all this in mind I have decided to be creative in finding a new job, where I can complement a progressive organisation and hopefully it me.

An organisation that might want to develop a young professional, who is honest, has integrity and is hard-working and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.

A job where my new activities as an emerging independent filmmaker, writer and performer, can be of use and complement.

I hope to give others who might have found themselves in the same place as I have, some inspiration and to let them know that ‘they are not alone‘.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, we can all fall spectacularly.

The important thing is, to get back up.

Not so long ago, I would never have written anything like this so publicly as I was a private person but you have to deal with the cards you have been dealt. To some this might be humiliating, but pride doesn’t put food on the table or pay the bills!

So, if you know a person or an organisation who is looking for a ‘fairly’ intelligent guy who is mixed-race, gay and a Scouser but has suffered with depression due to discrimination at work and whose last two jobs were as a detective and whom is proactive in the arts, social justice and equality whilst studying a MA then, please let them know of me or me of them.

On a last point, I like a laugh as much as the next person but we all should stand up to and be more robust about all forms of discrimination which can and does ruin lives. I don’t regret my challenging, racism and homophobia in the workplace.

You can find out more about me at www.kevinmaxwell.co.uk, and I can be contacted via the online form below.

Thanks, for reading.

This has been a… you’re hired, ‘View from the Bottom’.

Take care, Max x.

Live Healthy, Laugh Often & Love Yourself!

Published by My Mum. Copyright © Kevin Maxwell Film, Media & Performance 2012.