Cheshire Police break equality law

An employment tribunal has ruled against Cheshire Police in a case brought by 25-year-old Matthew Furlong on the grounds of sexual orientation, race and sex.

The tribunal found that the force had discriminated against Mr Furlong as it had unlawfully treated candidates with protected characteristics more favourably, and did not consider that the candidates who passed interview could all have been of equal merit. 

Deputy Chief Constable, Julie Cooke commented: “We have reflected on our interpretation of the Act and thoroughly reviewed our practices to ensure that we comply with it. We accept the findings of the tribunal and have looked very carefully at our entire recruitment practice. Action has been taken to change some of our processes and take account of the hearing’s result. It is important for us, and for candidates, that the recruitment process is fair and transparent and that all candidates are treated in a fair and consistent manner. However, I would like to stress that these processes were put in place with the best of intentions to attract candidates from diverse communities, and at no time were the standards of our recruits reduced.”

Mr Furlong has since accepted an offer of a job with the Constabulary as a student officer.