-
- Equality and Diversity
-
-
- Equality and Diversity
-
-
-
-
Bedfordshire Police Authority's vision is to be an organisation that inspires trust and confidence, that listens, responds and meets the needs of individuals and communities. To achieve this we seek to ensure that every person who receives or is affected by the Authority's activities and services has a fair and equitable experience. The Authority also has a duty to monitor Equality and Diversity within Bedfordshire Police which it does through a quarterly meeting.
The Authority expects all people of Bedfordshire, including Luton, whether a resident or visitor, to be treated with respect; free from harassment, bullying, victimisation or discrimination. The Authority wishes to be open and transparent in the way in which the our functions, policies, roles and responsibilities are delivered.
Like all public authorities, we are subject to the Equality Act 2010 that promotes equality across nine protected characteristics. We are required to comply with a range of duties to tackle discrimination and harassment and to promote equality and good relations in everything we do.
The nine protected characteristics that replaced diversity strands following the 2010 Act are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and Civil Partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion and belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
We also seek to take account of socio-economic disadvantage, language and urban/rural living.
Equality Objectives
The Police Authority is closing down in November 2012, but has agreed to keep its Single Equality Scheme in place for the remainder of its time. Additionally, for the interim period the Police Authority has agreed two SMART Equality Objectives to support its work. These are:
A) To ensure equalities implications are included in all force reports relating to business change
B) To report an update to the March Transition Programme Board on equalities risks relating to the Business Plan for Transition and supporting Implementation Plan.
Find out more Equality and policing in Bedfordshire
During 2011/12 the Authority has sought to embed equalities issues more directly into its business. For example, all committee reports are expected the include equality analysis within them to ensure that due regard is given to equalities issues as a routine part of decision making.
You will find equalities information alongside relevant decision-making within the 'Library' section of this website. You can click here to find a range of equalities information on Bedfordshire Police, including workforce and performance information.
You asked for more information on…
In August 2011 we asked residents (including at forums with groups that we have previously under-represented in our surveys) what more information they would like. The most common responses requested local policing team contact information, local crime statistics, youth issues, police efficiency, police and visibility. Information and local officers and crime can be found on the Crime Mapper website. Other information about crime levels / clear up rates and workforce efficiency has been added in this website'sLibrary under Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committees.
Discussion groups with young people highlighted youth violence including street robbery. The Police Authority requested this report.
Young Victims and Offenders - Robbery
Useful Information
Equality Analysis of 2012 Business – August 2011
Second Annual Report against the Single Equality Scheme (including quality assurance of Force Equality Analysis) – September 2011
The Police Authority developed and agreed a Single Equality and Human Rights Scheme 2009-11. Each Police Authority Committee had its own Single Equality and Human Rights Scheme Implementation Plan to ensure our equalities aspirations are embedded throughout our work. An Equalities Impact Assessment programme was developed with Impact Assessments of Authority business.
Equality Impact Assessment training has been organised for all Members of the Equality and Diversity Panel and for every Committee Chair. This training is in addition to the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights input Members receive as part of their induction.
Each of these documents, along with Equality Impact Assessments that have already been completed can be found below:
-
link to Equality and Diversity library documents