Inclusion Pay Gap

Police Race Action Plan

In 2022 the National Police Race Action Plan was launched which focus’ on Black communities because of the ongoing disparities in policing outcomes that disproportionately affect Black people. While the plan does acknowledge other minority groups, the specific focus on Black people is due to the severity and persistence of these issues. We continue to examine existing culture, processes, practices and policies to make positive and impactful change that is felt across the communities we serve and by our workforce.

We are accepting that our systems, processes, policies, structures and unwitting actions based upon our unconscious biases are influencing how we are delivering our policing service. By recognising this, we can actively address them and take meaningful steps to build the trust, confidence and safety across all our communities.

We are committed to ensuring that Dorset Police improves Black people’s experience of policing, eliminates racial disparity and becomes an inclusive and anti-racist organisation.

As part of this endeavour, we are fully committed to the national Police Race Action Plan and have created a local plan to reflect the priorities identified by our Black communities to ensure that those from minority ethnic backgrounds and heritage are represented, respected, involved and protected.

Whilst some progress is being made, we acknowledge lots more needs to be done and we remain committed to delivering the necessary changes to deliver a more inclusive approach that focuses on improving the relationship between police and Black people both within our workforce and across all our communities.

Our plan continues to be centred around four workstreams:

Workstream 1: Black people and communities are properly represented within policing, with an internal culture that promotes inclusivity and supports their development and progression.

Workstream 2: Black people and communities are respected and treated in a fair and equitable way.

Workstream 3: Black people and communities are routinely involved in the governance of policing.

Workstream 4: Black people are not ‘under-protected’ and are properly supported as victims of crime and as vulnerable groups.

“The aims of our Race Action Plan are clear and we recognise that we need to build the trust and confidence with our Black communities. In doing so, we will actively listen to the experiences of our diverse communities and commit to making improvements so that we can make meaningful change and deliver fair and effective policing for all.

We also recognise that disparities exist not just in policing outcomes but within our own organisation. The ethnicity pay gap is a clear indicator that more work is needed to ensure that all officers and staff, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to thrive and develop within Dorset Police. Addressing this gap is a priority for us, as we strive to create a truly inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

By building trust and confidence within our Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities we hope to inspire and encourage talented people from these communities to consider a career in policing.”

Superintendent Joe Pardey – Race Action Plan Lead