Equality & Diversity
At the very heart of everything Essex Police does is the
community.
Communities are diverse and getting to know each and every one
within the county helps us do our job more effectively.
Put simply, diversity means difference across race, gender,
disability, sexual orientation, faith and age.
We take diversity related issues very seriously and continually
review how we can best meet the needs of the residents of Essex and
those who work and visit here.
It’s important to us that your experience of Essex Police is a
positive one and that means being sensitive and responsive to your
individual needs.
Twenty or so
years ago, my then Chief Inspector tried to convince me not to
apply for scenes of crime as 'women didn’t do that sort or work'.
But I applied and was successful. 
Detective Chief Inspector Jan Harrison, professional
standards department
To make sure that happens we have a Diversity Unit constantly
working to raise awareness of equality and diversity within the
daily business of Essex Police.
Valuing differences, treating people fairly and judging people
on merit makes for better policing and we’re determined to make
sure nobody who comes into contact with us is disadvantaged.
We strive to make the way we deliver our services, provide
information and carry out our employment functions open and
accessible to all. You can read more about this in our
Confidence and
Equality Strategy and Fairness
and Diversity Policy Statement.
Jan Woodhouse, equality and diversity manager, said: “Every
member of Essex Police has a legal duty to promote equality in the
course of carrying out their duties.
“We will provide high quality services that are sensitive
to individual needs, deliver fairly and without prejudice. We
recognise that the public and our staff have different needs and
lifestyles and aim to ensure that nobody is disadvantaged by their
difference.”
On the next few pages you can read about what we’re doing to
build a diverse workforce and how we’re working to improve the
quality of service we offer the communities of Essex.
If you would like more information about equality and diversity
within Essex Police contact the diversity unit by calling 101 or
alternatively 01245 491491.
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