Police force to BAN different uniforms for men and women to become ‘gender neutral’

WNS

Dyfed Powys Police in Wales will roll out gender neutral uniforms

More than 1,000 policemen and women will ditch their different helmets, hats, ties and cravats for matching “gender neutral” outfits as they pound the beat.

And the uniform switch is one of 18 gender changes being brought in by chiefs at Dyfed Powys Police whose officers work in the rural beats of the Welsh countryside.

The force will make changes after admitting transgender people have been “adversely impacted” by the police officers.

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It’s crucial that police forces work with LGBT communities

Gay rights campaigners Stonewall spokesman

The 1,195-stong force has employed a Gender Identity Working Group to make it more transgender friendly – such as making custody cells at police stations and toilets “gender neutral” and ditching terms such as policeman and policewoman.

Assistant Chief Constable Liane James said: “As a force we have learnt that there may have been times when our practices and procedures have adversely impacted our Trans communities and their engagement with us.

“This isn’t right. We have been actively working with these communities to improve our service to them.”

WNS

At the moment women police officers wear a rounded hat and a cravat

At the moment women police officers wear a rounded hat and a cravat while male police officers wear their traditional Custodian helmet and tie.

But changes over the next year, all officers will wear a unisex hat and neckwear to be “minimise gender differences”.

It warned that different uniforms based on sex could lead to transgender officers “being forced into non-public facing roles” and being forced to “out themselves” in the workplace when they may not wish to.

WNS

Dyfed-Powys Police has worked with the Gender Identity Working Group to reach out to the community

Ms James said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is committed to providing a fair and equal service to all those we serve and therefore, I am pleased to confirm that we have committed to all 18 recommendations made by the Gender Identity Working Group.

“I will personally ensure that we make progress against these recommendations over the next year and look forward to reporting our progress to you.

“Over the past year, our Gender Identity Working Group has been working with our workforce and our communities to understand the barriers which are currently in place within the Force in terms of serving the public, as well as supporting our staff and officers.

Police call handlers will also be given language training so they do not offend people of the wrong sex on the phone.

Gay rights campaigners Stonewall praised the move by the West Wales police force. A spokesman said: “We know that LGBT people, and trans people in particular, don’t always feel confident that the police will understand their needs.

“It’s crucial therefore that police forces work with LGBT communities in order to improve services and it’s great to see this continued commitment from Dyfed Powys to trans-inclusion as an employer and service provider for all.”