Disability Discrimination Act - “The chance to create a fully inclusive police service for disabled people” - MPA

69/04
1 October 2004

Welcoming today’s extension of the Disability Discrimination Act which now encompasses serving police offices, Kirsten Hearn, independent member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and chair of the Authority’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board, pictured, said:

“The MPA has been working continuously with the MPS to ensure our police service reflects London's diversity in the way it polices the capital. The Authority believes this also extends to the way the police service accepts and treats disabled people as employees.

“The extension of the DDA from today offers the MPS the opportunity to show its commitment, not just to comply with the legislation but to create a fully inclusive police service for disabled people. While I know there is a long way to go I recognise that there is a real commitment at the top to embrace change and I thank Sir Ian Blair for his support.

“But special thanks must go to the MPS Disabled Staff Association for their continuous work to change the culture of the police from within and challenge negative attitudes that prevail.”

The MPA will be hosting a conference – ‘Disability and the police – a new relationship?’ - co-ordinated on its behalf by Greater London Action on Disability (GLAD) next Thursday (7 October). The event, open to disabled people, will inform the agenda for the MPA and the MPS about disabled people and policing in London. Kirsten Hearn, Sir Ian Blair and Ossie Stuart of GLAD are addressing the conference.

Kirsten concluded:

“Disabled people do not feel they receive fair policing which is why the MPA is prioritising work to combat disability discrimination in policing. It goes deeper than accessible police stations and is about challenging prejudice and openly engaging on equal terms with disabled people.

“That is why the MPA commissioned GLAD to carry out research on policing issues effecting disabled people and we look forward to a lively debate and plenty of feedback about how we can make real improvements to the police service experienced by disabled people in London.”

Notes to editors

1. From today, 1 October 2004, police officers fall under the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) – previously only police staff were covered by the Act.

2. Greater London Action on Disability (GLAD) is a pan-London community-based umbrella organisation of disabled people.

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