According to a regulator, police officials are unsure of how to handle transgender individuals and are requesting better training to prevent misgendering them.
The police forces argue that the application of the Equality Act needs clearer definition, especially concerning complex issues like gender and sex.
In a letter to the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), warned that mistakes in this regard risk undermining public confidence.
However, there was also a reminder that placing too much emphasis on one protected group could result in discrimination against others, including the elderly, disabled individuals, and people of specific faiths.
Risk of undermining public trust
Andy Cooke, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, argued that due to the intricate and constantly evolving nature of the Equality Act, it needed to be quickly and accurately interpreted and applied.
“Police forces’ understanding and interpretation of this evolving legal framework lack clarity,” he stated.
This lack of clarity is particularly evident in contentious areas such as gender and sex change, the definition of sincerely held beliefs, and when those beliefs are protected by the Act.
Without greater clarity, officers and staff run the risk of making poor decisions that could undermine public trust and confidence.
“The importance of the police engaging with communities to serve them effectively should not be underestimated; it is the foundation of policing by consent,” he continued.
While all the forces examined showed an awareness of the diversity of their communities and tailored their assistance, engagement, and hiring accordingly, there were instances of undue emphasis on people with specific protected characteristics, typically related to race, gender, and sexual orientation.
This undue emphasis could lead to discrimination against people with different protected characteristics, such as age, disability, or certain religions.
Better instruction is needed
Mr. Cooke noted that most forces provide officers with training on diversity, inclusion, and equality through an online program.
However, many officers who participated in the assessment criticized the effectiveness and quality of this training.
Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary, commissioned the letter from HMICFRS amid controversy over police bias.
She accused the Metropolitan Police of applying a “double standard” to the way they handled protests in the capital.
She called for an independent review and claimed that far-right protesters were “rightly met with a robust response,” while “pro-Palestinian crowds” were “largely left alone.”
However, Mr. Cooke argued that there was significant concern among senior officers that politicians seeking to interfere in investigations were undermining their operational independence.
He said that many senior officers “perceive what they believe to be undue pressure or interference from senior political figures, either through direct contact or via the media.”
Mr. Cooke asserted that a deeper understanding of the term “police operational independence” and its definition was needed.
The full HMICFRS report on engagement and objectivity will be released later this year.
