MET launches HIV policy

36/01
12 June 2001

The Metropolitan Police Service has launched its updated HIV Policy, which will apply to all Met employees living with or affected by HIV, including police officers, members of the Specials and support staff.

The key principles of the policy are: equality, health and well being, and confidentiality. The Met are determined to ensure that all its employees affected by the virus are treated with dignity and respect.

Richard Barnes, Deputy Chair of the MPA has been working closely with staff from the Met's Occupational Health Branch, Jamie Kinniburgh, a research officer at the Terence Higgins Trust and Paul Carswell of the Lesbian and Gay Police Association to revise the policy. He said:

"I am very pleased with the outcome of this policy revision, and believe that it strengthens the MPS's reputation as an equal opportunities employer. The initial policy was victim based. I am pleased that the new policy now extends respect and dignity to all members of the Police service. By working together with THT and LAGPA, the Metropolitan Police Service has produced a policy that meets the needs of both the service and its members. I am also pleased that the Association of Chief Police Officers is considering the policy as a standard for national adoption. This is truly diversity in action."

Dr Eileen Cahill-Canning, the Metropolitan Police Service's Senior Occupational Physician said:

"The policy underpins the Met's commitment to ensuring all employees with HIV receive the same levels of treatment, confidentiality and career options as any other employee with an equally serious illness."

Jamie Kinniburgh, research officer at THT, said:

"We are delighted to have been asked by the Metropolitan Police Service to work with them and the Lesbian and Gay Police Association (LAGPA) in revising this important policy. It is very encouraging that the MPS as a large and public facing organisation has undertaken this work to reflect the changing nature of the HIV epidemic in the UK. HIV is like any other long term medical condition, and people living with the virus should be afforded the same level of support and protection as anyone else."

Notes to editors

The Metropolitan Police Authority took over responsibility for the Metropolitan Police Service from the Home Secretary on 3 July 2000.

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