New Policing Together strategy to drive equality and inclusion

Police Scotland has outlined action to address injustice and disadvantage in society and the organisation under its Policing Together strategy.

The national service has detailed plans already under way to enhance recruitment, leadership and training to develop a culture which reflects its values of integrity, fairness, respect and commitment to upholding human rights.

Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM said those values demand that Police Scotland meets the challenges of discrimination head-on to build and maintain policing’s bond of trust with communities, vital to its legitimacy.

Sir Iain said: “A society where everyone can thrive and flourish flows from Police Scotland’s purpose to improve the lives and wellbeing of our fellow citizens, for the benefit of all.

“We have listened to our communities, including our own officers and staff, and know policing itself is not immune from the challenges of racism, sexism, homophobia and discrimination.

“Discrimination has no place in policing. Our Policing Together strategy outlines the action we are taking to champion equality and inclusion so that we tackle sexism and misogyny and we become an actively anti-racist organisation.

“Providing everyone with a fair, just and effective policing response is our moral responsibility and legal duty. It is an operational imperative to maintain and build the crucial bond of trust with our communities from which we draw our legitimacy.”

Watch the Chief Constable's full video statement:

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor QPM is leading work across Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights imperatives with additional, expert, advice, support and scrutiny from an Independent Review Group (IRG) which is representative of society and has experience in advocating on behalf of underrepresented communities.

Chair of the IRG Robin Iffla said: “I, along with my colleagues, view the launch of Policing Together as a pivotal moment in policing in Scotland.

“When the group set out our outcomes for what we wanted to achieve, we recognised that reviewing the strategic direction of the organisation was critical.

“The IRG recognises the importance of this strategy and, going forward, we will be critically examining its implementation from policy to pavement - to ensure that everyone understands and is committed to the strategic vision and direction of Police Scotland, which is underpinned by equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights.”

Watch Mr Robin Iffla's full video statement:

Organisation-wide work, informed by engagement with Police Scotland’s statutory and diversity staff associations, is being tracked through an Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Action Plan managed by Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson.

Progress will be reported publicly in Police Scotland’s Quarterly Performance Reports.

The Policing Together Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy was approved at the Scottish Police Authority Board meeting on Thursday, 29 September.

You can find out more about our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy on the Strategic Planning pages of our website.