Police pause inclusion strategy to get public views

A police force has paused introducing an updated culture and inclusion strategy while it carries out more consultation with the public.

Wiltshire Police published the strategy, which was criticised by Reform MP Danny Kruger, on 26 January but then "decided to pause the launch" a few days later.

The area's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Philip Wilkinson said he is "pleased" the force wants to engage further, explaining he supports diversity to reflect communities the police serve but not as "an end in itself".

The force said it "quickly became evident" more consultation was needed, but that the decision to pause does not take away from the importance of equality and inclusion in its work.

Reform MP for East Wiltshire Danny Kruger had objected on social media to the introduction of the new strategy, and said he got in contact with the PCC, adding "this agenda divides us, and it is a massive waste of police time and resources".

He objected to some of the topics mentioned on a graphic representing a set of objectives, such as raising awareness of hate crime, how to attract underrepresented groups to the workforce and mandatory equality training.

Kruger referred to the measures as a "full bingo set".

The same graphic is in the force's earlier equality, diversity and inclusion strategy 2022 to 2025, and includes discussing police transparency and public engagement.

UK police forces in the UK are required to meet the legally-binding Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under the Equality Act 2010, so most have strategies or objectives.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: "The voice and views of all our communities is a central tenet of our approach to policing in Wiltshire.

"In order to provide the best possible service to the public, we must ensure we reflect the communities we serve and have a diversity of lived experience and skills to be the best policing service for all our communities in Wiltshire."

Wiltshire Police said it is working on how the public will be able to give their views.

Wilkinson said: "My belief is that all voices should be heard and valued.

"I support diversity as a way of ensuring Wiltshire Police genuinely reflects the communities we serve, strengthening legitimacy and helping us deliver the Police and Crime Plan.

"However, diversity should be a means to achieving these outcomes – not an end in itself. It must also come with the right qualifications and standards."

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