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Surrey Police Pledge to Continue Commitment to Racial Equality

Published on: 7 Mar, 2021
Updated on: 7 Mar, 2021

Surrey Police have signed the Race at Work Charter, in their drive to reflect the community by improving the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employees in the workplace.

The Business in the Community Race at Work Charter was launched in partnership with the UK government in 2018.

The Surrey force is now making an official public commitment to taking practical steps in tackling barriers individuals face in recruitment and progression, and to ensure their numbers are representative of the communities it serves.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp said: “We are extremely proud to be a signatory which shows our continued commitment to increasing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community representation in our workplace.

“We know people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities still face significant disparities in employment and progression, and this is something we want to change.

“At Surrey Police, inclusion and diversity are extremely important to us. Last year we launched our commitments, which we have committed to respect, and reflect, the differences in communities we serve. We want to keep conversations about race, equality and inclusion in our everyday discussions throughout the year.

“Our existing initiatives and activities have led to a positive uptake in the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic recruits, with 12 per cent in the last financial year compared to a three-year average of 7.2 per cent.”

Initiatives already in place include a dedicated Positive Action Team, who engage with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to provide advice on policing careers to encourage applications.

The force has an established staff network. The Surrey Police Association of Culture and Ethnicity, who liaise with internal and external associations, groups, and individuals with a view to valuing diversity, promoting cultural awareness, breaking down barriers, challenging discrimination and accepting and understanding all individuals within the force and the wider community.

SPACE works alongside our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic working groups to ensure Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues throughout the force are provided platforms for development and progression. The support provided as an organisation ensures focus is given to individuals not only in the attraction and recruitment process, but throughout their careers.

For more information on Surrey Police’s Positive Action Team, see the website here.

Zoe Franklin

Last June, Zoe Franklin, Guildford Lib Dem’s parliamentary spokesperson, said during the Black Lives Matter protests: “Police brutality, directed overwhelmingly against BAME people, … is no less of an issue in the UK than abroad.”

Today she said: “I am really pleased to hear Surrey Police have signed up to the Race at Work Charter and also that they have a new staff network to support and improve work around diversity, development and progression.

“It is my sincere hope these initiatives will continue to improve diversity and community understanding locally. But racial awareness and equity is a journey, not a destination, and our work on this issue is never ‘done’.

“All of us must be committed to seeing real change, understanding and equity across our communities and acting accordingly.”

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