Equality and diversity

Hampshire Police Authority’s vision for equality and diversity

Hampshire Police Authority’s vision is that every person and every employee who receives or is affected by the Authority’s activities and services should perceive their experience to be fair and equitable.

The Authority expects all people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, whether a resident, visitor or someone who works in the two counties, to be treated with respect; free from harassment, bullying, victimisation or discrimination. The Authority wishes to be open and transparent in the way in which the Authority functions and the ways in which its policies, roles and responsibilities are delivered.

In short, the promotion of equality and diversity shall be at the heart of the Authority’s work.

To assist the Authority in its duty the Authority has published a combined equalities scheme which brings together the Race, Gender and Disability Equality Schemes - please view it using the below link.. The Authority also has a duty to monitor Hampshire Constabulary’s scheme, which it does through its committee meetings. To view the Constabulary’s schemes please visit its website.

The Authority staff are subject to the equality schemes of Hampshire County Council. To see the County Council's schemes please visit its website.

Combined Equality Scheme

Any form of crime including hate crime is taken very seriously by Hampshire Constabulary. A hate incident is defined as:

'Any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate based on age, disability, gender, homophobia, racism, religion, transphobia'.

Hampshire Police Authority carries out community engagement with all sections of the community to understand their policing priorities. The Police Authority historically and continues to consult with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) groups, Black Minority Ethnic groups, Women’s groups and Disability groups  who’s views have gone into helping shape the Policing Plan.

Events include specific disability hate crime road shows. The road shows aim is to build trust and confidence in the police amongst the disabled community and to encourage a better understanding of hate crime and anti social behaviour and how to report it. To view future events by the Police Authority please go to our consultation diary.

The first of the road shows was held in November 2009 at the Grove Centre in Winchester. The second road show was held in April 2010 at the Sembel Centre Southampton, a report was made to the Community Engagement Committee. The next Disability Hate Crime Road show is planned for the 29^th September 2010 at the Fareham Day Service Centre in Fareham.

The Equality & Human Rights Commission have recently started an inquiry into the actions of public authorities to eliminate disability related harassment and its causes. Hampshire Police Authority has been informed that the Constabulary will be submitting evidence to this enquiry and that any recommendations following it will be considered by the authority.