Our legal duties
The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 is the UK's discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fairer and more equal society. The Act protects people from discrimination, harassment, and victimisation in work, education, and when accessing services.
The Equality Act 2010 protects anyone who falls into a 'protected characteristic':
- Age
- Disability
- Gender Re-assignment
- Marriage and Civil Partnership
- Race
- Religion and Belief
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)
The Public Sector Equality Duty came into force across Great Britain on 5 April 2011. The Duty aims to embed equality considerations into the day to day work of public authorities so that they tackle discrimination and inequality and contribute to making society fairer. It means that public bodies have to consider all individuals when carrying out their day-to-day work - in shaping policy, in delivering services, and about their employees.
The Equality Duty requires the force to show that in the decision-making processes, in service delivery, and our employment practices, we have had due regard to the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
These are often referred to as the three aims or arms of the general equality duty.
As a public body, we are required to regularly publish equality information that demonstrates our compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. This information is required to be published at least annually and equality objectives set at least every four years.
Please read our current and past Equality and Diversity Annual Reports below.