West Mercia Police in Stonewall Top 100 Employers list

West Mercia Police has welcomed the news that it is among the county's top 100 employers of gay people but is still keen to improve.

Stonewall - a charitable organisation that campaigns and lobbies for equality for gay men, lesbians and bisexual people - has produced its annual Workplace Equality Index of the best employers since 2005.

In 2009, West Mercia Police has been ranked 73rd out of 317 organisations that took part. This compares to 121st out of 240 in 2008.

Employers, ranging from councils to supermarkets to global investment banks, must complete a nine-part report and provide evidence to support the questions asked. They are then ranked according to criteria ranging from implementation of effective equality policies, practical demonstrations of good practice in recruitment and mentoring to how they engage with lesbian and gay staff as well as customers and service users.

"It is vital that people of all backgrounds feel confident that we strive to treat them with fairness and respect in all their dealings with us."
Helen Danks

The 317 employers who entered the 2009 Index were required to obtain a minimum score of 71 per cent to be placed in the top 100. With 22 police forces in the top 100, it was the second best performing sector after professional services and ahead of investment banks. Hampshire Police was the best performing force, in second place overall behind the winner Lloyds TSB.

West Mercia diversity advisor Helen Danks says: "To be in the Stonewall index is not about ticking boxes or being able to display a logo on publicity material: it is an excellent tool that helps us pinpoint where we need to improve.

"As a police force, this is crucial for how we treat both our workforce and the public. It is vital that people of all backgrounds feel confident that we strive to treat them with fairness and respect in all their dealings with us."