Staff Network Groups at Surrey Police

Staff Associations act as a support mechanism for staff and officers from under-represented groups.

The aims of the associations are to ensure equal opportunities are provided to all Surrey Police employees, provide a united voice to our senior leaders voicing ideas and concerns, assist with career development and ensure members are supported during times of difficulty or discipline.
Staff Associations are a ‘critical friend’ to the force and can provide vital advice on numerous subjects throughout the service including strategic decision making.

Surrey Police have the following Staff Associations:

Christian Police Association

The Christian Police Association (CPA) is a network of officers and staff from Surrey. The group pray about factors facing the force, individuals and other issues that may come up. All members of Surrey Police are welcome including those with no faith or those who are interested in knowing more. The CPA also acts as a ‘bridge’ between the Police and Churches and has assisted with projects such as ‘street angels’.

Surrey Association of Muslim Police

The Surrey Association of Muslim Police (SAMP) aspire to assist Muslims to observe their faith and to promote the understanding of Islam within the police service and the wider community. The association provides a forum for Muslim staff and supports their religious and welfare needs, with a view to improve their working environment. We aim to increase trust and confidence and improve community cohesion.

Surrey Police also have a Multi-Faith room which is available for all staff and officers to use.

The Surrey Police Association of Culture and Ethnicity (SPACE) are affiliated to the National Black Police Association (NBPA). SPACE aims to observe, promote and support cultural awareness with Surrey Police and the community via mentoring and support for minority ethnic origin colleagues.

SPACE liaises with internal and external associations, groups and individuals with a view to valuing diversity, promoting cultural awareness, breaking down barriers, challenging discrimination and understanding all individuals within the force and wider community.

Surrey Police Ability Network

Surrey Police Ability Network (SPAN) is a support network that represents the views of disabled staff, staff who have sole carer responsibilities or staff affected by disability.

SPAN has links with the National Disabled Police Association and is working towards improving recruitment, retention and progression, induction and training of disabled staff. We also raise awareness of the issues surrounding disability within Surrey Police and also assist in the development of new and existing policies.

Surrey Police LGBT Network (SPectrum) welcomes all sections of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community – although the network does recognise that some transgender staff may not identify themselves as lesbian or gay. Our objectives are to speak with a united voice within Surrey Police. To provide support and assistance to LGBT staff and to promote awareness of LGBT issues within Surrey Police by working with individuals and departments and with both internal and external groups. You do need to be ‘out’ to join the staff network and we have a confidential email system in order to communicate with members should they prefer this.

Surrey Women’s Association

The Surrey Women’s Association (SWAY) is a strategically focused non-membership organisation representing the interests of women officers and staff within Surrey Police. Our primary role is to work with the Senior Leadership, Diversity Directorate, HR, Police Federation and UNISON to act in an advisory capacity on matters affecting women staff.

We identify and tackle professional issues common to women colleagues such as:

• Impact of Windsor – aging workforce, fitness testing, staff health.
• Career progression – under representation in specialist roles, programme of mentoring and support.
• Recruitment and retention of female staff-monitor impact of change programmes upon female staff, Flexible working policy.