Equality and diversity
Sussex Police is committed to promoting equality and respect for
diversity in the way it serves Sussex in delivering policing and
also as an employer.
Whilst the language may have changed over the years, the
principles of policing in the UK date back nearly 200 years. In the
nineteenth century, Sir Robert Peel developed the principles which
defined the ethical requirements police officers must follow in
order to be effective.
Sussex Police, at all times, strives to develop and maintain a
relationship with local people that gives reality to the
fundamental principle that the police are the public and the public
are the police; delivering a successful policing service across
Sussex, in which people have confidence, is achieved by listening
to what local people tell us are their priorities, the style of
policing they want and then meeting their needs.
Policing is about putting people first; our values and approach
commit us to a service of a consistently high quality. A service
that is accessible, responsive and visible and treats people with
fairness, respect and dignity.
The delivery of quality services is our first and foremost
priority. Making sure that we see things from the public's
perspective means speaking with local people, asking them what they
want and their views on the changes we're making. Each year, we
speak with thousands of people right across Sussex to
understand their priorities. These voices feed into our approach
and our policies.
For 2012, we conducted a separate survey designed to understand
the Equality issues that matter most. We are committed to
providing you with an open and honest service, so we have published
the results and what people have told us, in full, here. This
work has informed our 2012 Local Policing Plan which sets the
strategic direction for the Force.
Sussex Police aims to be transparent and accountable to
local people. We have begun a programme of publishing far more
information about our performance than ever before. In 2012,
we began publishing equality data: information about the
services we provide and our workforce. This is just a start, and we
are encouraging feedback so we can
continually improve what we make available.
Independent Advisors
The Sussex Police Strategic Independent Advisory Group (SIAG),
which meets on a regular basis, is administered by the Diversity
Team. The SIAG provides community perspective and advice on the
development and delivery of our services. Across Sussex, each
division has its own Independent Advisory Group (IAG). This
enables us to understand the differing effects local policing can
have on various communities and in so doing helps us develop and
operate policies and practices that do not exclude, discriminate or
have an unjustifiable adverse impact on any particular
community.
Equality Champions
Equality Champions, senior police officers and police staff,
ensure the Force is well positioned to identify national good
practice together with policy and legislative developments at the
earliest possible stage.
The Equality Champions make a positive contribution through
organisational and community reference groups, where views can be
aired on how service delivery and employment policy impacts in
practice. The feedback from the numerous groups now follows a
clearly defined road map which, as intended from the outset,
enables our key decision makers to respond to issues drawn to their
attention by the Equality Champions.
Our Equality Champions cover the portfolios of Age, Disability,
Faith and Belief, Gender and Transgender, Gypsies and Travellers,
Race and Sexual Orientation.
You can contact the Diversity Team at the following
email addresses and telephone numbers:
David Tonkin
Phone: 101 Ext. 45330
Email: david.tonkin@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Melinda King
Phone: 101 Ext. 45570
Email: melinda.king@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Alternatively you can write to us at:
The Diversity Team, Sussex Police Headquarters, Citizen Focus
and Diversity Branch, Corporate Development Department, Malling
House, Church Lane, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2DZ