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Equalities ForumOppressive attitudes, practices and ideologies, which are expressed in individual, institutional and structural discrimination, remain prevalent in society. The voluntary sector has been and is responsible for major advances in policy and practice in achieving a culture shift and in tackling discrimination. The Forum is supported through Dundee Voluntary Action. Objectives:
Equalities NewsTayside Police – Professional Standards Questionnaire Click here for Tayside Police – Professional Standards Questionnaire Click here for A guide for complaints about the police Back ground information Who can make a complaint? You can make a complaint if you:
What can I complain about? People who work in the police service should behave appropriately at all times. Expectations about the behaviour of both police officers and members of police staff are set out in Law. These expectations include requirements to:
How to make a complaint You can either:
You can also find general information about complaints on the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland website. If you’re dissatisfied but not sure if you have grounds for a complaint, or you’re not clear about our processes, please contact us by telephone or in person so that we can discuss the circumstances with you. What to expect when you contact Police Once you have made a complaint, a Senior Police Officer will contact you. In most cases, we will contact you by telephone unless you would rather communicate via email, letter or in person. The Senior Officer will likely ask you to tell us:
Non-Criminal complaints If the complaint is of a non-criminal nature, the senior officer may explain:
Experience has shown that many members of the public are unaware of the extent of police powers and responsibilities. By providing an explanation, reassurance, clarification - or even an apology - it has been shown to be possible to resolve matters to a complainer’s satisfaction.
Depending on the nature of the complaint, we may require to meet with you in person in order to take a statement from you personally. In that instance, you can, if you wish, be accompanied either by a friend or a representative. If necessary we can arrange for an interpreter to be present to assist. If you are under 16 years of age you will be interviewed with a parent or other responsible adult present. Criminal Complaints However, if the allegation that has been lodged is of a criminal nature, the Force cannot resolve or attempt to resolve the complaint. In this case, we will require to meet with you in person in order to take a statement from you personally. The process to be followed will be explained to you at that stage. In that instance, you can, if you wish, be accompanied either by a friend or a representative. By law, allegations of criminality against a member(s) of the Force are - no matter how minor - are automatically referred by the Deputy Chief Constable to the Procurator Fiscals Service. The Procurator Fiscal is entirely independent of the police and provides impartiality to the investigation of the complaint. The decision on whether or not the officer will be prosecuted rests entirely with the Procurator Fiscal Service. If the Procurator Fiscal decides to prosecute, then you will be made aware of this - and at various stages of the procedure, the Force will contact you to let you know how the case is progressing. At the conclusion of the criminal case, regardless of the outcome, the force will consider whether or not to instigate disciplinary action and you will be notified of this decision. Alternatively, after receiving the report, the Procurator Fiscal may decide that the complaint does not reasonably infer criminal conduct on the part of the officer, and will refer it back to the Force. Again, the force will consider whether or not to instigate disciplinary action and you will be notified of this decision. Upon completion of the enquiry, you will receive correspondence outlining:
If you are still unhappy If you are not satisfied with the way in which their complaint has been handled, you may write to: Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS) The PCCS can conduct a complaint handling review and can order that the matter be reconsidered. Further information can be found on the website of the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland. A guide for the public on the role of the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland can also be found on the PCCS website. Further information Further information about complaints about the police in Scotland is available through a leaflet produced by The Scottish Government entitled, 'Complaints About the Police'. The leaflet can be downloaded by visiting the Scottish Government website. Sergeant 2432 Tayside Police Professional Standards HQ, Dundee Ext 6724 s.smith @ tayside.pnn.police.uk
Equality and Diversity Partnership Click here for the Dundee Partnership Equality Event June 2012 Report
AMINA Amina MWRC we have just launched a national campaign called "I speak for Myself" (www.ispeakformyself.co.uk) which empowers Muslim women to share their personal messages with their fellow Scots so that together we can challenge damaging stereotypes. We have developed a photo exhibition which can be viewed on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ispeakformyselfUK If you would like to display the stand contact Nadia El-Nakla Helpline Development Officer Amina Muslim Womens' Resource Centre Unit MF 6B Old Mill Complex Brown Street Dundee, DD1 5EG Tel 01382 224687
The Equality Act 2010 Launch of Equality Act Non Statutory Guidance The Commission has written a series of guides to explain people’s rights and responsibilities under the new Equality Act 2010 which comes into effect in October this year. The act brings together lots of different legislation to make equality law simpler and easier to understand. They have produced two versions of each set of guidance, one aimed at people who want advice on their rights and the other at those who have responsibilities under the law. The guides launched last week cover two key areas of the new act: · Employment · Services, Public Functions and Associations The guidance can be accessed via the website or by clicking on the link here: www.equalityhumanrights.com/ea2010 The Commission consulted on the draft non-statutory guidance from January to April, with a wide range of stakeholders across England, Scotland and Wales, to make sure that the guidance was as useful and informative as it could be and would like to thank all those that contributed their time and expertise to help improve our guidance. The Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. For more information click here
New Equality Act guidanceHere you will find guidance and good practice to help you understand and use the new Equality Act law click here http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/
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