Metropolitan Police considers gender-neutral uniforms
Britain’s biggest police force is considering plans to introduce gender-neutral uniforms, The Sun reports.
Consulting its 30,000 officers on the issue, the Met has reportedly launched a review after a landmark legal ruling recognising the rights of non-binary people. An Employment Tribunal ruled last year that a Jaguar Land Rover engineer’s gender-fluid identity was a “protected characteristic” under the Equality Act 2010.
There are currently nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
- Disability
- Age
- Sex
- Religion and belief
- Pregnancy/maternity status
- Gender reassignment
- Sexual orientation
- Marital/civil partnership status
- Race/nationality/ethnic origin/colour
It is thought that if the force does not provide separate garments for non-binary and gender-fluid officers, they could be in breach of the Act.
The Sun quotes one officer, calling themselves Alex Blue, who suggested having uniforms items that are not made for male or female. The officer said a failure to provide an alternative would constitute indirect discrimination.
Currently, male officers wear helmets, flat caps and ties while women have bowlers and cravats. Equality campaigner Peter Tatchell thinks there should be one uniform for all, adding, “Separate uniforms for officers is a legacy of the sexist past.”
The Met said the contract with its uniform provider is due to expire in 2023, adding, “This important feedback will be taken into consideration before a new contract is agreed.”
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