Kent Police is driving forward its commitment to equality with the launch of a new scheme that promotes fair treatment and opportunity for men and women, whether they work for the force or are members of the public.

The Gender Equality Scheme being introduced by Kent Police also aims to prevent unlawful discrimination or harassment. It has received strong endorsement from the Kent Police Authority.

Over the next three years both the force and authority will address key issues such as equal pay and career opportunities and improve the handling of policing around sexual offences, domestic violence and public safety.

Deputy Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle and Assistant Chief Constable Dave Ainsworth, head of Personnel and Training, supported by Kent Police Authority Chair Ann Barnes are helping to launch the scheme.

Key speakers during the launch included Chief Superintendent Jan Stephens, the commander for the Medway policing area. Ch Supt Stephens, who is Kent Police’s most senior woman officer, has had a pivotal role in encouraging progress on gender issues in the force.

Liz Owsley, from the British Association for Women in Policing, was also invited to speak, along with an equality consultant, Jayne Monkhouse, who talked about women in the police service, and Kim Lyddon on widening perspectives.

Public bodies now have a duty to promote gender equality to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote fairness between men and women as part of the Equality Act 2006. The new law is seen as the biggest change in sex equality legislation in 30 years, since the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act.

In Kent it is hoped this commitment will bring about greater understanding in many areas, including further improving officers’ work with victims of crime and raising awareness of needs within the workforce.

In developing the new scheme, Kent Police consulted with its workforce and also sought the views of around 50 local organisations and a staff support group for women employees, the Kent Network of Women.

Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent Police Authority, which oversees the policing of Kent and Medway, said: ‘The authority is totally committed to gender equality. It is very important we have a scheme in place that allows a fair working environment for both men and women. This can only have a positive effect on the service the public receive.

‘Everyone is different, in one way or another, and we have different needs at different times in our lives, so there is the chance that women and men will experience different forms of disadvantage depending on their age, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, and disability during their career.

‘This is why we need a new approach to break down barriers not only with staff, but also with the taxpayers of Kent.’

Chief Constable Michael Fuller said: ‘This scheme has helped us identify priorities we need to address both in delivering our services and to be an employer of choice.

‘I want Kent Police to be acknowledged as a police service that meets the changing and diverse needs of Kent’s communities, visitors and our workforce.

‘This is also an opportunity to work with our partners across Kent to change attitudes and misconceptions. Everyone in Kent Police will have a part to play in promoting gender equality, no matter what their role is, and this will obviously have a positive impact on the quality of our service to the public.’