OUT IN THE COLD?

It seems that our local Kent Police are very big on diversity. There is a very comprehensive structure within the force to ensure that "equality and diversity underpin all aspects of and are mainstream in our work."

Action Groups are responsible for both `creating and sustaining the equality and diversity agenda.` Each Action Group is made up of people from all levels across the force and is chaired by a senior member of Kent Police.
Each group takes ownership for their strand of diversity, makes sure that actions from the delivery plan are carried out and undertakes wider community related responsiblities.

Progress is fed into the Equality and Standards Board, chaired by an Assistant Chief Constable and on which the action group chairs sit. This Board reports in turn to the Citizen Focus Performance Gold Group, whose key objective is `to deliver confidence, satisfaction and reassurance across Kent and Medway.` The Gold Group is chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable.

Action Groups are responsible for both `creating and sustaining the equality and diversity agenda` across a wide series of issues including Minority Ethnic; Disability; Lesbian, Gay and Bi-sexual; Immigration and Asylum; Hate Crime and Incident; Age; Gender and Transgender; Fairness; Gypsy and Travellers; Religion and Belief. Small wonder, then, that Kent Police came as high as fourth in a nationwide survey by Stonewall about the way in which Police Forces tackle diversity. And I congratulate them for that achievement and for the impressive structure they have put in place.

Now, before the boys in blue come knocking on my door, let me say that as a council taxpayer funding Kent Police, I can have no problems with any of the above and it`s good to see my taxes being used in this way. There are just a couple of things that puzzle me though. First, I am at a loss as to how Kent`s Chief Constable can complain about resources when there seems to be ample funding for all these diverse pursuits. And second, I am at a loss as to why there is not an Action Group for white, British, law abiding, taxpaying, non-benefit claiming heterosexuals, who seem these days to be in a minority of their own.

Hang on - there`s someone at the door.