Overview
We are committed to providing and delivering a high quality and diverse service to the communities we serve and to all Police Officers, Police Staff, Volunteers and Special Constables.
This is achieved by understanding different requirements and demands whilst still striving to meet all diverse needs. We aim to be an organisation which reflects our diverse communities, ensuring that our organisational structures, ways of working, decision making and communication is appropriate for all.
‘Equality is about creating a fairer society where everyone can achieve their maximum potential. Diversity is about recognising and treating people as individuals and placing positive value on diversity in the community and the work force. Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world.’
Our obligations
The Equality Act 2010 streamlined the law by consolidating existing equality law into a single piece of legislation. The Act lists nine protected characteristics – people are not allowed to discriminate, harass or victimise another person due to any of the following:
• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion or Belief
• Sex (gender)
• Sexual Orientation.
Visit the Government website for a list of discrimination types.
Positive action
Positive action is a range of initiatives that employers can lawfully take to actively encourage individuals from under-represented groups to apply. We encourage applications from people in under-represented groups who are looking for new and challenging career opportunities.
Positive action is often confused with Positive Discrimination. Positive action does not mean people will be recruited simply because of their gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. This is ‘positive discrimination’ which is unlawful. We treat all applicants equally and recruitment is based on merit.
Did you know you can get pre-application assistance from our Positive Action Coordinators? Contact them via Email them.
Public Sector Equality Duty
The Public Sector Equality Duty requires North Yorkshire Police, as a public authority, to have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010.
- Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
- Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
Under the specific duty, we are required to publish equality objectives at least every four years and make equality information to demonstrate their compliance with this duty accessible on an annual basis.
This ensures that we are fully transparent and illustrates how we fulfil the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty. The Human Rights Act 1998 sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals in the UK have access to.
It provides public authorities with a legal framework to help ensure that their actions respect the human rights of those for whom they provide services. More information can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
Support networks and groups
National Black Police Association
British Association for Women in Policing
Equality Advisory and Support Service