Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Essex Police

The Agile Working Support Network is here to support all staff and officers who work in an agile manner, including those working remotely, on flexible schedules, or across multiple locations.

Our goals are to:

• Provide practical advice and peer support for agile workers.
• Help the Force better understand and accommodate individual working patterns.
• Ensure agile working is effective for both the individual and the organisation.
• Promote a culture where flexibility and productivity go hand in hand.

Whether you're new to agile working or looking to improve your setup, the network is here to help you thrive.

The Armed Forces Network exists to proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and champion the armed forces community within Essex Police and beyond.

We offer support to:

• Staff who are veterans, reservists, or cadet leaders.
• Staff who are family members or carers of regulars, veterans, reservists, or cadet leaders.
• Veterans and their families within our wider community.

Our mission is to ensure that those connected to the armed forces feel valued, understood, and supported. Whether you're serving, have served, or are supporting someone who has, we’re here for you.

We are proud to stand with the armed forces community and their families.

The Catholic Police Guild was founded in 1914 within the Metropolitan Police to support the spiritual needs of Catholic police officers. Over the years, the Guild has grown and now welcomes members from across England and Wales.

Membership is open to:

• Police officers and staff of all ranks and roles.
• A Friends Section for those who are not Catholic but have an interest in Catholic values and issues.

The Guild provides a space for reflection, fellowship, and faith-based support, helping members navigate the challenges of policing while staying connected to their beliefs.

Whether you're Catholic or simply curious, the Guild offers a welcoming and inclusive environment.

The Christian Police Association (CPA) serves as a national voice for Christians in policing, offering encouragement, fellowship, and spiritual support to officers and staff across the UK.

Whether you're a practicing Christian or simply exploring faith, the CPA provides:

• A supportive community rooted in Christian values.
• Opportunities for prayer, reflection, and discussion
• Resources to help navigate the challenges of policing with faith and integrity.

The CPA is open to all staff and officers, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where faith and service go hand in hand.

The Disability and Carers Network is committed to improving the lived experience of employees with disabilities and those with caring responsibilities.

Our mission is to:

• Support Essex Police in being a Disability Confident employer where everyone can thrive and succeed.
• Help people bring their authentic selves to work.
• Build a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive workplace.
• Develop an effective and easy-to-use workplace adjustment process

We aim to make Essex Police an employer of choice for people with disabilities and carers by promoting understanding, removing barriers, and celebrating the strengths of a diverse workforce.

The Fairplay Advisors Network is made up of volunteer grievance advisors who serve as a first point of contact for officers and staff seeking confidential advice on concerns related to:

• Fairness
• Equality
• Diversity
• Inclusion

These concerns may fall outside of formal processes, and Fairplay Advisors are here to listen, guide, and support individuals in navigating workplace challenges.

The network plays a vital role in fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive working environment across Essex Police.

The Help Forum is a supportive network offering confidential guidance, information, and resources to officers and staff facing challenges—whether at work or at home.

We’re here to help with:

• Workplace stress or concerns
• Personal or family difficulties
• Navigating support services and wellbeing resources

No issue is too small. The Help Forum provides a safe space to talk, seek advice, and connect with others who understand.

You’re not alone- support is always available.

The LGBTQ+ Network provides a safe, supportive space for officers, staff, and volunteers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and allies.

Our aims are to:

• Support members of the LGBTQ+ community within Essex Police.
• Raise awareness of the issues faced both inside and outside the organisation.
• Influence internal policy to ensure inclusivity and fairness.
• Advise colleagues on how to effectively support victims of hate crime in our communities.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to be their authentic selves.

The Menopause and Andropause Support Group is here to help, support, and guide all officers, staff, and volunteers who are experiencing or supporting others through the menopause or andropause.

Our vision is to:

• Provide a safe and understanding space for open conversations.
• Raise awareness and reduce stigma around hormonal health.
• Offer practical advice and emotional support.
• Promote workplace adjustments that enable everyone to thrive.

We’re committed to ensuring that no one feels alone in their journey and that Essex Police continues to be a place where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.

The Men’s Forum is a fully inclusive space for all men, regardless of ethnicity, sexuality, or trans status. It’s a place where members are encouraged to leave their “machismo anorak” at the door and engage in open, honest conversations - or simply listen - about the issues that affect men.

Our aim is to:

• Create a safe and respectful environment for discussion.
• Promote mental wellbeing and emotional resilience.
• Challenge stereotypes and encourage authenticity.
• Support men in navigating personal and professional challenges

Whether you're looking to share, learn, or just connect, the Men’s Forum is here for you.

MESA is dedicated to ensuring fair and equal treatment for multi-ethnic members of Essex Police and delivering a high-quality service to the diverse communities of Essex.

Our mission is to:

• Celebrate the rich cultures, religions, beliefs, and ancestry of our multi-ethnic staff.
• Support and represent members in their unique experiences.
• Improve management understanding of diversity and inclusion issues.
• Contribute to wider multi-ethnic perspectives across the organisation.

MESA also plays a vital role in fostering strong relationships between Essex Police and multi-ethnic organisations and communities, helping to build trust, understanding, and collaboration.

We are proud to stand with our colleagues and communities in promoting equality, respect, and inclusion.

The Chaplaincy Service is available to everyone working within Essex Police - regardless of faith, belief, or none.

Our chaplains offer:

• Confidential support and a listening ear.
• Guidance through personal or professional challenges.
• A space for reflection, prayer, or simply quiet conversation.

Whether you're religious, spiritual, or not at all, the Chaplaincy is here to support your wellbeing and help you feel connected and cared for.

TRiM is a voluntary, peer-to-peer, and non-clinical support process designed to help officers, staff, and volunteers who have experienced potentially traumatic events.

A TRiM assessment aims to:

• Identify whether individuals are naturally processing and normalising the event.
• Recognise signs that may indicate a need for additional support.
• Provide reassurance that reactions are normal and valid.
• Support recovery and signpost further help if needed.

TRiM practitioners are trained colleagues who offer a safe, confidential space to talk, listen, and guide you through your experience. You are never alone - TRiM is here to help you understand your response and access the support you need.

The Women’s Leadership and Development Forum is a supportive network for all women officers and staff across Essex Police.

Our aims are to:

• Empower women to be the best they can be.
• Support personal and professional development.
• Provide guidance through times of change and transition.
• Create a space for connection, growth, and shared experience.

Each group nominates a representative to sit on the Diversity and Inclusion Board, a strategic meeting held quarterly, and also participates in local diversity and inclusion meetings - ensuring women’s voices are heard at every level of the organisation.

Together, we’re building a workplace where women can thrive, lead, and inspire.

Section 149 Equality Act 2010

This legal duty requires public bodies (and their individual members) to have ‘due regard’ to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and foster good relations in carrying out their business functions.

This means taking a pro-active approach to understanding and responding to staff and service users (and potential users) needs, understanding the impact of business policies, procedures and decisions on different people, delivering fair and appropriate services and promoting equality. Most aspects of business will be covered by the duty, including policy making, providing services and employing people.

The duty involves:

• Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by persons who share a relevant protected characteristic* that are connected to that characteristic;
• Taking steps to meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic* that are different from the needs of persons who do not share it;
• Meeting the needs of disabled persons that are different from the needs of persons who are not disabled including, in particular, steps to take account of disabled persons’ disabilities.

*Protected Characteristics is the term introduced by the Equality Act 2010 to describe the specific groups of people who are protected from discrimination under the Act. The characteristics protected are Age, Disability, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex, Sexual Orientation and Transgender.