The Dyfed-Powys Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Dyfed-Powys Police launches its 2024-2028 Strategic Equality Plan to promote diversity and inclusivity

Dyfed-Powys Police (DPP) and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) have published a new Strategic Equality Plan for 2024-2028, aimed at enhancing equality and inclusivity within the police force and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office (OPCC).

Key Objectives
The new plan has four key objectives that overall will aim to address equality and inclusivity challenges, ensuring a fair and effective service for all communities.

Increase Workforce Diversity: The plan emphasises diversifying the workforce and volunteer groups to better reflect the communities of Dyfed-Powys. It outlines plans that aim to improve recruitment, retention, and career progression, with clear targets to ensure a representative workforce.

Eliminate Racial Disparities: In response to national and local initiatives, the plan also focuses on addressing and eradicating racial disparities within DPP and the OPCC. This involves implementing policies that promote racial equality and adhering to guidelines from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Police Race Action Plan, and the Criminal Justice in Wales (CJIW) Anti-Racist Action Plan.

Strengthen Community Relationships: The plan seeks to develop and improve relationships between the police and local communities through proactive community policing and engagement. This includes developing meaningful community engagement strategies, establishing transparent feedback mechanisms, and utilising Engagement Officers effectively.

Promote an Inclusive Culture: A major goal is to cultivate a culture of inclusivity and respect within the DPP and the OPCC. This will include mandatory diversity training, promoting internal reporting mechanisms, and addressing any racist, misogynistic, or homophobic behaviour.

Implementation and Monitoring

Efforts will focus on removing recruitment barriers, increasing mentorship opportunities, and implementing mandatory diversity and inclusion training. Progress will be tracked by reviewing recruitment data, monitoring diversity in volunteer schemes and assessing feedback from community and staff interactions with annual progress reports published to ensure transparency and accountability. This plan aligns with broader national policing visions, including the National Police Chief Council’s Policing Vision 2030, and supports the aims of the Equality Act 2010.

Dafydd Llywelyn, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, said, “Our new Strategic Equality Plan marks a significant step forward in our commitment to nurturing a police force that truly reflects and serves our diverse communities. By focusing on increased diversity and inclusivity, we aim to build stronger, more trusting relationships with the people we serve.”

Chief Constable's Commitment

Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis emphasised the importance of public support in policing, “Public support is at the very heart of policing, and the Strategic Equality Plan outlines our commitment to foster a safe and inclusive environment for every member of every community we serve, and every member of the policing family.

Dr Richard Lewis elaborated on the delivery of the plan, “Through delivery of this plan, we will deliver policing services with integrity and fairness - ensuring everyone is treated with respect and empathy.

“By implementing targeted training programs, enhancing community engagement initiatives, and holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of conduct, we aim to build the trust and confidence of all communities we serve.

“We acknowledge this means we must listen to and understand the issues that are important to residents, and provide a service that is active, visible, and approachable.

“We are committed to fully engaging with our communities so that together, we create a society where everyone is treated equitably, regardless of their background, and that the policing workforce is representative of the communities we serve.”

To learn more about our Strategic Equality Plan and see how we are working towards these goals, watch our informative videos

Dyfed-Powys Police (DPP) and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) have published a new Strategic Equality Plan for 2024-2028, aimed at enhancing equality and inclusivity within the police force and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office (OPCC).

Key Objectives
The new plan has four key objectives that overall will aim to address equality and inclusivity challenges, ensuring a fair and effective service for all communities.

Increase Workforce Diversity: The plan emphasises diversifying the workforce and volunteer groups to better reflect the communities of Dyfed-Powys. It outlines plans that aim to improve recruitment, retention, and career progression, with clear targets to ensure a representative workforce.

Eliminate Racial Disparities: In response to national and local initiatives, the plan also focuses on addressing and eradicating racial disparities within DPP and the OPCC. This involves implementing policies that promote racial equality and adhering to guidelines from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Police Race Action Plan, and the Criminal Justice in Wales (CJIW) Anti-Racist Action Plan.

Strengthen Community Relationships: The plan seeks to develop and improve relationships between the police and local communities through proactive community policing and engagement. This includes developing meaningful community engagement strategies, establishing transparent feedback mechanisms, and utilising Engagement Officers effectively.

Promote an Inclusive Culture: A major goal is to cultivate a culture of inclusivity and respect within the DPP and the OPCC. This will include mandatory diversity training, promoting internal reporting mechanisms, and addressing any racist, misogynistic, or homophobic behaviour.

Implementation and Monitoring
Efforts will focus on removing recruitment barriers, increasing mentorship opportunities, and implementing mandatory diversity and inclusion training. Progress will be tracked by reviewing recruitment data, monitoring diversity in volunteer schemes and assessing feedback from community and staff interactions with annual progress reports published to ensure transparency and accountability. This plan aligns with broader national policing visions, including the National Police Chief Council’s Policing Vision 2030, and supports the aims of the Equality Act 2010.

Dafydd Llywelyn, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, said, “Our new Strategic Equality Plan marks a significant step forward in our commitment to nurturing a police force that truly reflects and serves our diverse communities. By focusing on increased diversity and inclusivity, we aim to build stronger, more trusting relationships with the people we serve.”

Chief Constable's Commitment

Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis emphasised the importance of public support in policing, “Public support is at the very heart of policing, and the Strategic Equality Plan outlines our commitment to foster a safe and inclusive environment for every member of every community we serve, and every member of the policing family.

Dr Richard Lewis elaborated on the delivery of the plan, “Through delivery of this plan, we will deliver policing services with integrity and fairness - ensuring everyone is treated with respect and empathy.

“By implementing targeted training programs, enhancing community engagement initiatives, and holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of conduct, we aim to build the trust and confidence of all communities we serve.

“We acknowledge this means we must listen to and understand the issues that are important to residents, and provide a service that is active, visible, and approachable.

“We are committed to fully engaging with our communities so that together, we create a society where everyone is treated equitably, regardless of their background, and that the policing workforce is representative of the communities we serve.”