from BBC News
A police force has paused introducing an updated culture and inclusion strategy while it carries out more consultation with the public.
Wiltshire Police published the strategy, which was criticised by Reform MP Danny Kruger, on 26 January but then “decided to pause the launch” a few days later.
The area’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Philip Wilkinson said he is “pleased” the force wants to engage further, explaining he supports diversity to reflect communities the police serve but not as “an end in itself”.
The force said it “quickly became evident” more consultation was needed, but that the decision to pause does not take away from the importance of equality and inclusion in its work.
Reform MP for East Wiltshire Danny Kruger had objected on social media to the introduction of the new strategy, and said he got in contact with the PCC, adding “this agenda divides us, and it is a massive waste of police time and resources”.
He objected to some of the topics mentioned on a graphic representing a set of objectives, such as raising awareness of hate crime, how to attract underrepresented groups to the workforce and mandatory equality training.
Kruger referred to the measures as a “full bingo set”.