The Authority’s overarching vision is that every employee and every person who receives or is affected by the Authority’s activities and services, should perceive their experience with the Police Authority to be fair and equitable. We expect all such individuals to be treated with respect free from harassment, bullying, victimisation or discrimination and wish to ensure transparency and accountability for the way in which both the Authority and the Force deliver their functions, policies and services. 

In short, our aim is to positively promote diversity and equality in everything we do and we seek to achieve this by making the promotion of diversity and equality central to the way the Police Authority works. The Authority welcomes diversity and is committed to promoting greater understanding and confidence within the community. 

In support of our vision and aims, we recognise the importance of effective consultation and information strategies that reach out and seek to engage with the diverse range of communities within the County. We also recognise the importance of working closely with the Force and other strategic partners to promote diversity and equality and foster a joined up approach to diversity and equality issues.

We are committed to working to increase trust and confidence in policing amongst the diverse communities we serve and recognise that a greater focus on the needs of communities and individuals has the capacity to deliver real benefits in terms of more informed decision-making and better targeted services and policies. 

The Police Authority has a key role in holding the Force to account for its own progress on diversity and equality and it operates rigorous arrangements to monitor the Force’s performance to ensure that it meets both its general and specific legal duties.  This includes regular monitoring of the Force’s specific employment duties including the monitoring of employment data as the means to measure progress in achieving equality of opportunity.  In this regard, the Police Authority and Force share a commitment to making the workforce representative of the communities we serve.