Building and anti-racist, anti-discriminatory, anti-sexist service
At the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Board meeting on Thursday, 25 May, 2023 former Chief Constable, Sir Iain Livingstone publicly addressed the issue of institutional discrimination within Police Scotland. The first force in the UK to do so.
Setting out her priorities for Police Scotland, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has since agreed with this institutional discrimination statement and Police Scotland has been on a journey towards becoming an anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discriminatory service.
We know from listening to our colleagues, the communities we serve, from independent review and inspection, from legal cases and from our own conduct process that institutional racism, sexism and discrimination is a reality both in society and for Police Scotland.
People from all communities must know that when we talk about keeping people safe, we mean them. Everyone must feel able to speak to the police.
Becoming an anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discriminatory service is a progressive development in our language, actions, behaviour and culture in a changing social and political world. It is a permanent endeavour requiring continuous education and the active involvement and support of all at Police Scotland.
How will Police Scotland become anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discriminatory?
Policing Together provides a focal point and platform for the action we are taking to champion equality, diversity and inclusion within Police Scotland and improve our service for all communities.
Outcome 1 of our Policing Together Strategy states ‘We are an anti-racist organisation and have zero tolerance for any discrimination, bullying or harassment. We act at all times in accordance with our values.
The Macpherson report defined racism as consisting of “conduct, words, or practices that advantage or disadvantage people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin.”
Building an anti-racist services means pro-actively tackling racism and identifying, preventing and addressing racism at structural, cultural, institutional and personal levels. It means actively challenging prejudice and racist stereotyping, upholding the equal moral value of all individuals.
We will be informed and guided by people with real life experiences of racism to understand problems and our responses and commit to a collective effort to provide an empathetic and professional service to all individuals in accordance with their needs.
Our Policing Together Strategy represents our overarching commitment to Equality Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights, our vision is to be welcoming, inclusive and representative of communities. We are focused on delivering the highest standard of service to all our diverse communities.
Our commitments include preventing unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation in any form in relation to all protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.
Becoming an anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discriminatory organisation is supported through the four pillars of Policing Together.
Leadership: Meaningful and sustainable change requires persistent focus and leadership. Cultural change is everyone's responsibility but is driven by leaders across the organisation.
Learning: Providing our people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support the delivery of culture change, the application of equality and inclusion within the workplace and delivery of our anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discrimination commitment.
Communities: Connect, engage and use insights and lived experience to shape services and enhance trust and confidence of our internal and external communities.
Communication: Communicate on an on-going basis with our colleagues and communities across a range of forums, keeping them engaged, involved and informed.
Our success will be measured by improved experiences of our officers and staff and the public we serve. This will be done through reports on Policing Together performance to the Scottish Police Authority.
Our commitment is further supported by the following delivery frameworks, strategies and reviews. This includes, but not limited to:
Established EqHRIA/CRIA process
SPA and Police Scotland Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing
Human Rights Baseline Assessment
Police Scotland People Strategy 2024/27
Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
Sex Equality Tacking Misogyny review
Impartiality in Policing review
Academic Research to include work with SIPR to inform practical service delivery
Data and Insights