Hampshire Police Most Gay Friendly Force and Employer
January 14, 2010
The Hampshire Police have beaten the rest of the countries private and public sector employers, as the most gay-friendly employer in the UK.
The police force has according to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2009 outperformed all other employers to gain the title as best force in the UK for LGBT employees, while also showing a dedication to eliminating discrimination based on sexuality.
Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan, the force's Diversity Champion, in an interview said: "As a police force we aim to fully represent the diverse communities we serve. As an employer we want to be able to attract the best candidates from all sectors of society. I am quite clear therefore that a force which does not include talented individuals, selected on merit, cannot be an effective force or a desirable employer. The Hampshire LGBT Resource Group has been crucial in assisting us to eliminate prejudice based on sexual orientation."
Pc Matt Parker from the Priority Crime Team in Lyndhurst added: "I was impressed to see them out and about talking to people and engaging them. I realised it was something I'd quite like to do. When I joined the police I was contacted by other officers in the LGBT Resource Group who offered me support.
"I've always been open about my sexuality and from day one with the police I've felt comfortable being out to my colleagues. Before, I worked in the military and for corporate companies, but Hampshire Constabulary has been the most gay-friendly environment.
"In a way, I had to come out twice; once as a gay man in the police force and once as a police officer in the gay community. But when people in the clubs meet a gay officer they often feel more comfortable talking to the police and reporting crime in general. In Hampshire it's not about forcing people to be gay-friendly; they genuinely are."
The Hampshire is no stranger to being on the list of employers being the most gay-friendly. The force started of in the fourteenth spot in 2006, moving up to eleventh last year and this year making the top spot.
Image Source: http://www.glio.demon.co.uk
