Dyfed Powys Police launched their Single Equality Scheme at a series of seminars held around the force area.

The scheme pulls together into a single document everything the force is doing and plans to do over the next three years to make sure that communities and our staff are treated fairly and according to their needs.

The scheme was launched at a series of seminars where the document was presented to senior police officers, heads of department and police authority members.

"It was clear as soon as senior managers started discussing equality and diversity that it was already an integral part of our work and something that ran through everything that we do," said Chief Constable Ian Arundale.

"It made sense to put everything together into one document. Even though it is not a legal requirement to publish such a scheme we welcome the opportunity to underline or commitment by choice, to enshrine rights on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and the Welsh language."

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Gwyn Thomas, and one of the champions for the scheme, added "At Dyfed Powys Police, we believe it is both morally and ethically imperative to provide equal protection for everyone.

"As part of the scheme, the force has identified individual senior officers as Champions for Diversity. They are responsible for driving the agenda forward throughout the whole Force area. This will ensure that the scheme remains high up the agenda and an integral part of the everyday business.

"Feedback from people who attended the seminars was really positive, there was lots of discussion on how this would benefit people living, working and visiting our Force area."

For further information on the scheme, or to request a copy please contact Helen Morgan-Howard, force diversity officer, on 101.