North Wales Police and Its Equal Opportunity Policy - Case Study Example

Equality and diversity Contents Contents 2 Introduction: North Wales Police and its equal opportunity policy 3 Evaluation of equality and diversity policies and practices 3 Different approaches to equality of opportunity 4 Importance of difference and diversity 5 Evaluation of different societal and organisational imperatives that create equal opportunity policy 6 Impact of changing attitudes towards equality and diversity on government policy 7 Conclusion 8 References 10 Bibliography 11 Appendix 12 Introduction: North Wales Police and its equal opportunity policy North Wales Police is the enforcement group that has the responsibility of monitoring, policing and ensuring the rules of the law in the territory of North Wales. The managing team of North Wales Police consists of 17 members out of whom 5 members are independent, 3 members are magistrates and 9 members are councillors. North Wales is an important area in UK which covers a total land of 6300 square kilometres and a total population of 687,800 people. The community of North Wales is a diverse community. The police authority of North Wales pays due attention for meeting and improving the diversified needs of the people in this area. Due to the effectiveness of the North Wales Police, the area is considered to be one of the safest regions in United Kingdom. North Wales Police fulfils its goals with the help of their efficient officers. There are around 1450 police officers along with 250 officers and 800 staffs for supporting the community. The policies of the North Wales Polices are framed by taking feedbacks from the public and the staffs who support the cause of community welfare (North Wales Police, 2012, p.1). These policies are in line with the objectives of the organization to reduce the criminal activities and ensure equal opportunity for the members of the community. Evaluation of equality and diversity policies and practices The policies on equality and diversity of North Wales Police have been evaluated with the help of the equality impact assessment form as given in the Appendix. The equality impact assessment form contains responses obtained from the members of the community and the police personnel of North Wales Police. The analysis of the equality impact assessment form reveals the sections of the community that have been benefitted from the enforcement of the equal opportunity policies (HM Government, 2010, p.30). The advantages and the benefits of the disabled sections of the society due to the policy of the North Wales Police on equal opportunity have been revealed from the assessment form. The extent to which the policy has been effective in maintaining equality and fostering good relations could be determined from the response obtained in the equality impact assessment form. The policy is independent of any other policy as it emerged due to the culmination of hot debate on the impacts of discrimination over the years. The policy ensures that no section of the community is deprived unlawfully and that fair and equal treatment is meted to all the members of the community. Different approaches to equality of opportunity Considering the diversity of the population of North Wales, the North Wales Police views the policy of equality and diversity with extreme importance for the cause of support and welfare of the community. The North Wales Police has a unit dedicated to address the diversity in the community of North Wales. The diversity unit of North Wales Police makes sure that all the police personnel, staffs and community support teams understand the areas of discrimination and take necessary action as per the policies of equality of opportunity (Gov, 2010, p.1). The different approaches to ensure equality of opportunity includes training of the police personnel and the support staffs to identify the areas of discrimination, the difficulties faced by the members of the community due to their disabilities, the barriers due to the cultural differences among the members of the community (Government Equalities Office, 2010, p.5). The police personnel and the support staffs are advised by the diversity unit of North Wales Police to engage into discussions with the members of the community and understand the difficulties faced by them due to the discriminatory behaviour for the occurrence of disabilities. North Wales Police has strict policies and recommended practices regarding discrimination against disability in order to undertake efficient policing activities in relation to disability. The approaches to equality of opportunity are aimed to foster good relations among the members of the community and also with the police authorities (Human Resources, 2010, p.1). The Equality Act of 2010 has been implemented in UK to ensure that the members get full protection from the police against acts of discrimination arising from the diversified beliefs of the community. The policing activities of North Wales make the business enterprises aware of their responsibilities of not engaging into activities of discrimination. The initiatives and actions of the North Wales Police has also been aimed at making the public aware of their rights against acts of discrimination and demand equal treatment from the society and the business houses in North Wales (Health and Safety Executive, 2010, p.1). Importance of difference and diversity The community of North Wales in UK is a diversified community with people having different ideologies, beliefs and culture. The diversified culture has given rise to difference in opinion on the matters of social and economic issues. The differences in opinion and the diversity of ideas and beliefs in North Wales is important from the point of view of community welfare as the exchange of ideas, thoughts and opinions would help in addressing the difficulties faced by the sections of the society. The behaviour of the different groups of community members and the areas of discrimination would emerge from the diversified opinion, beliefs and discussions. Instead of a diversified culture and society, a monotonous community culture would give rise to inequality with the dominance of higher classes over the lower sections and disable members of the community (British Dyslexia Association, 2010, p.2). From this point of view, the difference and diversity in the culture and beliefs of the society would bring to light the difficulties faced by the disabled sections and the underprivileged sections of the community due to the acts of discrimination. In order to resolve the issues of discrimination against the disabled sections of the community, much responsibility is bestowed on the police authorities as prescribed under the legal regulations. The debate that prevailed due to the differences and diversity in the communities of North Wales gave rise to the formulation of the Equality Act, 2000. Under this Act, the North Wales Police have been allocated the duties and responsibilities to stop activities of discrimination, harassment and victimization of the community members with disabilities. The Act promotes the aspect of equality of opportunity among the members of the society with an aim to foster good relations among the members. The differences and diversity in the community of North Wales have given rise to the voice, formulation of laws and necessary enforcement actions to ensure equality in diversity in North Wales. Evaluation of different societal and organisational imperatives that create equal opportunity policy The social and organizational imperatives that created the equal opportunity policy have been evaluated as follows. There are two broad sections of the society that could be identified in the context of the equal opportunity policy. The members of the society that have the natural dominance over the disable sections of the community have executed their powers, both physical and mental in order to fulfil their objectives and goals. In the process, the upper class, privileged sections have adopted discriminatory behaviours and principals to deprive the disabled sections of the society. The business houses also treated the disabled in discriminatory fashion in the context of their employment, job benefits and compensation for comparative tasks performed by them. The oppression and the discriminatory behaviour towards the disable members have led to hot debates on the matter of equality of opportunity. The disabled and underprivileged class of the society demanded equality in the treatment by the members of the society and the business houses. The hot debate culminated over the years to formulate the equality Act, 2000 that has restored the human rights of the disabled sections of the community and enabled them to demand fair and equal treatment from the stakeholders of the society. The law on equality of opportunity had different implication over different groups of people in community of North Wales (Kumra and Manfredi, 2012, p.74). The North Wales Police have assumed the responsibilities of undertaking policies and practices in line with the equal opportunity policy in order to ensure efficient policing of the community of North Wales. The disabled sections of the community received the benefits of the equal opportunity policy. The disabled sections became aware of the prohibitions of law against discriminations and demanded fair and equal treatment as other members of the society. This helped in the development of relations between the various sections of people in the society. However, the disadvantages due to the equal opportunity policy were bore by the upper class and the privileged sections which possessed natural dominance over the disabled people in the society (Daniels and Macdonald, 2005, p.62). The benefits due to discrimination were prohibited under the law and the North Wales Police took necessary actions to protect the disabled from harassment and victimization. Impact of changing attitudes towards equality and diversity on government policy The equal opportunity policy and practices of North Wales Police in order to ensure equality in an environment of diversity in North Wales have resulted due to the influence of changing attitudes of the members of the community towards equality and diversity. The diversified culture, ideas and thoughts of the people of North Wales have given rise to debates over the years that culminated into the implementation of laws in favour of human rights by the government. The representatives of the government are bound to formulate laws and principle that promote the welfare of the community. The discriminatory behaviour to the disabled sections of the society has led to the oppression of the unprivileged sections of the society which erupted through expression of demand for human rights in national debates. The change in the attitude of the people towards equality and diversity and the demand for equal and fair treatment from all sections of the society has impacted the policies of the government (Blanpain, Nakakubo and Araki, 2008, p.48). This resulted in the formulation of the Equality Act, 2000 which was enforced by the North Wales Police in the communities of North Wales in order to fulfil their annual objectives and priority. The government policy has been implemented by the Equality Advisory Support Service provided by the North Wales Police. The government policies and the enforcement activities of North Wales Police have allowed the disabled sections of the society in North Wales to claim for fair demands and equal treatments in socio economic affairs. The business houses were also bound to deliver equal treatment to the disabled sections of the society as compared to the other sections. The government policies on equality and diversity have been able to foster good relations among the members of the community. Conclusion The policies and practices of North Wales Police are based on the objectives and priorities of the organization to reduce crime, instil confidence, protect the public and promote welfare of the community through the policies of equality and diversity. The policies and practices of North Wales Police include the initiatives for sensitization of disabled members of the community on the human rights and the demands for fair and equal treatment among all the members of the community. The adjustments in the policies could be made where the North Wales Police should undertake activities of moral sensitization of the upper class and dominant sections of the society where they would refrain themselves from the activities of discrimination. The development of moral principles and respect among the members of the society would help in reduction of activities of discrimination. The North Wales Police should put more emphasis on the informal resolution among the members of the community in order to foster healthy relationship among the community members. The North Wales Police also ensures that the victims of discrimination and the disable individuals get adequate local support. The civil and legal aid is also arranged for the welfare of the community members. References North Wales Police. 2012. Equality and Diversity. [Online]. Available at: http://www.north-wales.police.uk/about_us/equality__diversity.aspx. [Accessed on 4 March, 2014]. HM Government. 2010. Equality Act 2010. [Pdf]. Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130703133823/http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wor/new/ea-guide.pdf. [Accessed on 4 March, 2014]. Government Equalities Office. 2010. Equality Act 2010. [Pdf]. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85011/disability.pdf. [Accessed on 4 March, 2014]. Gov, UK. 2010. Disability Rights. [Online]. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person/employment. [Accessed on 4 March, 2014]. Human Resources. 2010. The Equality Act 2010 and Disability Guide for Managers and Staff. [Online]. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/humrs/staffinfo/support/disabled_support.html. [Accessed on 4 March, 2014]. Health and Safety Executive. 2010. The law. [Online]. Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/disability/law.htm. [Accessed on 4 March, 2014]. British Dyslexia Association. 2010. Equality Act 2010, Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [Online]. Available at: http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/adults-and-business/disability-discrimination-act-.html. [Accessed on 4 March, 2014]. Kumra, S. and Manfredi, S. 2012. Managing Equality and Diversity: Theory and Practice. London: Oxford University Press. Blanpain, R., Nakakubo, H. and Araki, T. 2008. New Developments in Employment Discrimination Law. Bedfordshire: Kluwer Law International. Daniels, K. and Macdonald, L. 2005. Equality, Diversity and Discrimination. London: CIPD Publishing. Bibliography Hills, G. 2013. The Equality Act for Educational Professionals: A simple guide to disability inclusion in schools. New York: Routledge. Wadham, J., Ruebain, D., Robinson, A. and Uppal, S. 2012. Blackstones Guide to the Equality Act 2010. London: Oxford University Press. Greene, A. and Kirton, G. 2011. Diversity Management in the UK: Organizational and Stakeholder Experiences. New York: Routledge. Weller, P., Purdam, K., Ghanea, N. and Cheruvallil-Contractor, S. 2013. Religion Or Belief, Discrimination and Equality: Britain in Global Contexts. London: A&C Black. Vandenhole, W. 2005. Non-discrimination and Equality in the View of the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies. Oxford: Intersentia. Appendix Equality Impact Assessment Form Policy / Procedure: Equal Opportunity Policy Personnel Involved: North Wales Police Officers, Community members including the disabled. Consideration Response Further evidence requirements Outcome Which protected groups may be disadvantaged by the policy The privileged sections of the society would not heartily accept the equal opportunity policy. The acts of discrimination towards the disabled are useful evidences. The North Wales Police had to undertake strict for enforcing the policy on equal opportunity. Which protected groups might benefit from the policy The disabled and victimized sections of the community would be aware of their rights for receiving equal treatment in the community. The disabled sections of the community are offered equal opportunities in their socio-economic activities. An atmosphere of equality in diversity would prevail in the community. Does the policy advance equality and foster good relations Yes The members of the community receive fair and equal treatment. The socio-economic equality is attained. Could any part of the policy discriminate unlawfully No. The policy has been aimed at removing discrimination against the disabled members. The implementation of the policy received social acceptance. Are there any other policies that need to change to support the effectiveness of this one No. The policy is independent of other policies and has been formed as a result of culmination from the debate that persisted over the years. The Equality Act, 2000 has been passed which has been enforced by the North Wales Police. Conclusion:- indicate one Adjust the policy – Yes. Continue the policy - No. Stop and remove the policy – No. Action required to adjust: The North Wales Police could undertake activities of infusing moral responsibilities of the community of not indulging into activities of discrimination. The informal resolution could be suggested to the members in order to restore a healthy condition of peaceful co-existence in the community. Read More