Key Points
- North Wales residents are being called upon to give their views on equality, diversity and inclusion in policing.
- The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and North Wales Police have launched a consultation on the next Joint Strategic Equality Plan.
- The plan is at an early stage and, once developed, will run from 2027 to 2031.
- The document will outline how the OPCC and North Wales Police aim to promote equality, eliminate discrimination, promote good relations and deliver services that are accessible and responsive.
- The consultation is open to members of the public, community groups, partners and other stakeholders.
- They are asked about whether they think they are being treated fairly by the police, the current priorities for equality and the issues they would like included in the future.
- Both the OPCC and North Wales Police have a statutory duty under the Equality Act 2010 to promote equality and eliminate discrimination.
- The consultation ends on 21 November 2026; those taking part can contact opcc@northwales.police.uk to receive the consultation questions.
- The article was first published on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales website on 28 October 2026, and reported in Herald Wales, NorthNorth Wales residents are being called upon to give their views on equality, diversity and inclusion in policing.
- The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and North Wales Police have launched a consultation on the next Joint Strategic Equality Plan.
- The plan is at an early stage and, once developed, will run from 2027 to 2031.
- The document will outline how the OPCC and North Wales Police aim to promote equality, eliminate discrimination, promote good relations and deliver services that are accessible and responsive.
- The consultation is open to members of the public, community groups, partners and other stakeholders.
- They are asked about whether they think they are being treated fairly by the police, the current priorities for equality and the issues they would like included in the future.
- Both the OPCC and North Wales Police have a statutory duty under the Equality Act 2010 to promote equality and eliminate discrimination.
- The consultation ends on 21 November 2026; those taking part can contact opcc@northwales.police.uk to receive the consultation questions.
Wales (Wales Times) October 29, 2026 — Residents across North Wales are being invited to help shape the next Joint Strategic Equality Plan for policing, as the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and North uk/police/">Wales Police launch a public consultation on equality, diversity and inclusion.
What Is the North Wales Equality Consultation?
The consultation invites people across the region to share their views on fairness and inclusion in policing. According to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, the exercise will inform the objectives of the Joint Strategic Equality Plan, which is intended to guide how the commissioner and North Wales Police work together from 2027 to 2031.
The plan will set out how the two organisations will promote equality, eliminate discrimination, foster good relations and ensure services are fair, accessible and responsive to the communities they serve. The OPCC states that the preparation of the plan is at an early stage.
As reported by Herald Wales, the consultation forms part of the development of the Joint Strategic Equality Plan by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and North Wales Police. The North Wales Pioneer and Leader also reported that the consultation is intended to help shape future equality priorities in policing.
Who Can Take Part?
The consultation is open to members of the public, community groups, partners and stakeholders. The OPCC says it is encouraging people from across North Wales to take part so that the eventual plan reflects a broad range of experiences and priorities.
To participate, residents can email opcc@northwales.police.uk to request a copy of the consultation questions. The consultation closes on 21 November 2026.
The consultation includes questions on:
- How fairly or unfairly people feel they are treated by the police.
- What they consider to be the most important equality issues at present.
- Any specific concerns or priorities they would like police to address in the future.
Why Is the Consultation Being Held?
The Police and Crime Commissioner and North Wales Police have a statutory responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to promote equality and eliminate discrimination. The OPCC says the plan reflects that commitment and recognises the importance of understanding the needs of all sections of society to ensure effective and representative policing.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner stated:
“North Wales is home to many diverse communities, each with their own experiences, challenges and needs. It is vital that we hear from as many people as possible to ensure our Equality Plan reflects those experiences and helps us deliver services that are fair and work for everyone.”
Feedback gathered through the consultation will help inform the objectives of the Joint Strategic Equality Plan and ensure it reflects the views and priorities of communities across North Wales, according to the OPCC.
What Will the Plan Cover?
The Joint Strategic Equality Plan will guide how North Wales Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner work together to promote equality and good relations. Once finalised, it will remain in place from 2027 to 2031.
As reported by Leader, the plan will set out how both organisations will work together to promote equality, eliminate discrimination, and ensure policing services are fair, accessible and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
The current Joint Strategic Equality Plan, covering 2023 to 2027, already identifies objectives including effective governance, public participation, partnership working and an inclusive organisational culture. In its 2024-25 annual report, the OPCC said improving the diversity of North Wales Police staff and officers remained a cornerstone of equality, diversity and inclusion work.
How Have Local Media Covered It?
The announcement was published by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales on 28 October 2026.
Herald Wales carried the story on 29 October under the headline
“Public invited to help shape future equality priorities across North Wales”.
The North Wales Pioneer and Leader published reports the same day, both stating that residents were being invited to share views as part of the development of the Joint Strategic Equality Plan. The Denbighshire Free Press also reported the consultation deadline of 21 November 2026 and the email route for requesting the questions.
Background of the Development
North Wales Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner already operate under a Joint Strategic Equality Plan for 2023 to 2027. That plan says the organisations engage with communities and stakeholders to understand policing priorities and equality challenges, and that they review previous objectives when setting new priorities.
North Wales Police’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team is responsible for developing strategy and supporting practical action on workplace fairness and the delivery of a police service that is fair to all parts of the community. The force also has consultation groups focused on disability, LGBT+, race and trans issues.
Under the Equality Act 2010, the OPCC and North Wales Police are legally required to promote equality and eliminate discrimination. The new consultation is the latest step in preparing the successor plan for 2027 to 2031.
Prediction: How This Affects North Wales Residents
For residents, the consultation provides a direct opportunity to influence the equality objectives that will guide policing in North Wales for four years from 2027. People who respond may help identify concerns around fair treatment, access to services, discrimination and community relations that the commissioner and force consider when setting priorities.
For community groups and partner organisations, the process may create a route to raise issues affecting the people they represent. The OPCC has specifically invited community groups, partners and stakeholders to participate, suggesting that organised feedback could contribute to the plan’s objectives.
For North Wales Police and the commissioner, the consultation may affect how resources, engagement and service improvements are prioritised in the next equality plan. The extent of that influence will depend on the range and volume of responses received before the 21 November 2026 deadline.
