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Perception of favoritism inside police service

Oct 6, 2017 | 4:44 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Police Service has announced its plan to improve diversity and inclusion inside the station, after a workplace survey showed management that officers feel there is favoritism happening.

The service released its Diversity, Engagement and Inclusion Plan on Thursday which outlines any barriers that may exist in the work place and what staff are doing to prevent them in the future.

The Human Resources Department was asked to survey all female and peace officers in March of this year.

The results showed a theme evolving and it was decided the survey should be extended to all MHPS employees.

“There are perceptions within the organization, based on the surveys that we did with the general membership and also of the female officers, that some people may have to work harder than others to get promoted, to get transferred, etc.,” said Inspector Tim McGough. “There were some perceptions that they might be a bit of favouritism when it comes to certain officers, everywhere from up to the level of chief, down to sergeants.”

McGough said the service will now work on eliminating those barriers, which includes going back and re-writing some of the policies in place and bringing them up to date.

The plan states supervisors have already completed implicit bias training, something members will also take part in in the future.

Training around human rights legislation and respectful workplaces has also been scheduled.

McGough said he knows the service isn’t perfect, but they’re focused on making it a better place for officers.

“We’re not blind to the fact that we have some perceptions, that we need to work and do better in certain areas,” he said. “So we accept that and we’re willing to move forward and create a positive and respectful work environment and things take time but we’ve made efforts and we’re moving in the right direction.”

The service only released it’s plan outlining what needs to change.

The survey results have not been made public.