Introduction
The Equality Act 2010 establishes protected characteristics as follows:
- age;
- disability;
- gender reassignment;
- marriage and civil partnership;
- pregnancy and maternity;
- race;
- religion or belief;
- sex;
- sexual orientation.
On 5 April 2011, the public sector equality duty came into force. This requires public sector bodies to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
The Act explains that having due regard for advancing equality involves:
- Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics.
- Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.
- Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.
The PCC’s Equality Commitments
The PCC is committed to upholding equality as prescribed under the duty and further to it. The PCC will achieve this by:
- Demonstrating personal commitment to upholding equality in all areas of operation, both internally and when engaging with partners.
- Holding the Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police to account on equality issues within Warwickshire Police, both internally and in external engagements with the public.
- Engaging with Warwickshire’s diverse communities to ensure their concerns and needs are being heard and reflected.
- Ensuring all services funded by the PCC meet the needs of Warwickshire’s diverse communities.
