Equality & Inclusion

Promoting and respecting equality and inclusion is essential in policing. It is important that the service the police provides respects and understands the diversity of people in our community and treats everyone with fairness, no matter what their differences.

The Equality Act

The Police and Crime Commissioner works to ensure that those who work or interact with us or South Wales Police, are treated fairly and with respect and that they are not discriminated against because of any of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.  These include:

• Age
• Disability (including physical, mental, sensory and learning disabilities)
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage or Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race (including race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin)
• Religion and belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation

The Commissioner is subject to the General Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010.  This means that when carrying out his role, he (and South Wales Police) must have due regard to the need to:

1. Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited under the Act,
2. Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it,
3. Foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

The Commissioner also has a duty to hold the Chief Constable to account for his delivery of equality and diversity duties.  The Commissioner, in conjunction with South Wales Police has a Joint Equality Plan in place, which outlines the objectives that are being worked towards to advance progress against the General Equality Duty in key areas.  Progress against objectives are outlined in annual reports and annual monitoring information.  The Commissioner receives regular reports on progress and scrutinises outcomes.

Some of the other priority areas of focus regarding equality and inclusion for the Commissioner and his team are:

• Encouraging diversity into South Wales Police
• Encouraging Hate Crime reporting and victim satisfaction
• Monitoring stop & search use and telling the public about stop search
• Encouraging use of the Keep Safe Cymru Scheme (for people with specific communication needs)
• Engaging with the public

In Wales, the Welsh Language is also recognised as a strand of equality.  For more information on our Welsh Language duties, click here.

For more information on our equality and inclusion work, contact Hannah Jenkins-Jones (Hannah.jenkins-jones@south-wales.pnn.police.uk or 01656 869366).