Building an anti-discriminatory, anti-racist, anti-sexist service
At the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Board meeting on Thursday, 25 May, 2023 former Chief Constable, Sir Iain Livingston publicly addressed the issue of institutional discrimination within Police Scotland.
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-discriminatory and anti-racist Service.
Institutional racism, sexism or discrimination occurs when people from different backgrounds or with different requirements don’t get the service that is their right.
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, misogyny 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. We want people from all communities to see policing as a potential career.
Becoming an anti-discriminatory, anti-racist, anti-sexist Service is a progressive development in our language, actions, behaviour and culture in a changing social and political world.
How will Police Scotland become anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discriminatory?
Under Policing Together we will follow several principles to help on our journey to becoming an anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discriminatory Service:
- We recognise that discrimination exists, in Scotland, the UK and many parts of the world. It is a systemic issue, rooted in our history and power imbalances.
- We will work to understand the problems and our responses though being informed and guided by people and groups with real life experience of discrimination.
- As a service and individuals we will actively challenge prejudice, discrimination, or racist stereotyping.
- We recognise that we all have virtues and flaws, regardless of skin colour, disability, gender identification or sexual orientation. We will uphold the equal moral value of all individuals.
- We will proactively tackle discrimination. Identify, prevent and redress discrimination at structural, cultural, institutional and personal levels.
- Contribute. Be part of the solution. Commit to our collective effort to provide a professional service to all individuals. Be aware, show compassion for the circumstances, characteristics and needs of others.
- Recognise that becoming an anti-discriminatory organisation is a permanent endeavour. It requires continuous education and the active involvement and support of all at Police Scotland.
- Embrace the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010). Police Scotland is committed and accountable to tackle discrimination as an employer and service provider.
- Act against discrimination though Police Scotland's values of integrity, fairness, respect and upholding human rights.
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.
