Policy Scope:

The purpose of this document is to establish policy in respect of membership of unacceptable organisations so that members of South Yorkshire Police personnel are aware of the potential restrictions on private life.

This policy applies to Police Officers under the provisions of Police Regulations and also to the Special Constabulary and Police Staff.

Policy Aims and Objectives:

South Yorkshire Police are committed to full compliance with the duty to promote equality established in the Equality Act 2010.

Any organisation that promotes, as part of its constitution, discrimination against any person by virtue of their race, creed, colour or religion clearly conflicts with the general duty to promote race equality and it is unacceptable to the service for any South Yorkshire Police personnel to be an active member of such an organisation.

Such activity will lead to an investigation as to whether any discipline offence has been committed under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008 or the Police Staff Conditions of Service.

For the purposes of this policy, unacceptable organisations include: the British National Party, Combat 18 and the National Front. Active membership could involve activities such as: the participation in leaflet drops, meetings, fund raising and speaking on behalf of or writing articles for the said organisation. These activities remain unacceptable, regardless of whether or not an individual is a formal member of the stated organisations. These activities are not exhaustive.

These constraints will be reviewed when necessary with regard to organisations judged as unacceptable in the future.

Unauthorised Associations

Members of the Force are prohibited (unless detailed for duty) from attending meetings which there is reason to believe are held with the object of inciting police officers to insubordination or to violation of the disciplinary regulations of the service or where language is likely to be used calculated to undermine police discipline.

Equality Act 2010:

In principle, this document has been assessed for discrimination, which cannot be justified, among other diverse groups.

Human Rights/Discretion:

The purpose of providing policy is to give an indication to staff of the expected course of action. However it is not possible to cater for every possible combination of factors that would justify a departure from stated policy. The Human Rights Act 1998 requires the proper use of discretion at all times and nothing within this policy and associated procedural instructions prohibits the proper use of discretion in appropriate circumstances.

Where action is taken that has the potential to interfere with an individual’s Human Rights, the reasons behind the making of the decision to act in that way should be recorded on the appropriate forms, or where this is not practicable, in pocket books or policy logs.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Exemptions do not apply to this statement of agreed policy under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Audit Review Arrangements:

This policy together with its Equality Analysis will be reviewed every year

Rights of redress for members of the public:

Anyone who feels that a member of staff has behaved incorrectly or unfairly, or who is dissatisfied with organisational matters, service delivery or other operational policing issues, has the right to make a complaint.

Initial action should be taken in one of the following ways:

• Complain in writing or in person to the Senior Officer at the appropriate police station or to the Chief Constable of the force concerned.

• Visit a local Citizens' Advice Bureau

• Contact a Solicitor

Rights of redress for South Yorkshire Police personnel:

South Yorkshire Police personnel who feel they have grounds for concern in relation to the implementation of policies may, as appropriate:

• Pursue concerns through their line manager.

• Contact a First Contact Advisor.

• Pursue a grievance formally through the South Yorkshire Police Fairness at Work Procedure.

• Seek advice from their staff association or trades union.

• Use procedural instruction D50241 Management of Complaints, in the section entitled Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control. 

Start Date:

28 December 2005. (Amended May 2006)