DISABLED POLICE ASSOCIATION

That this House welcomes the inauguration of the National Disabled Police Association on 6th September; recognises the importance of utilising the experience and abilities of police officers and support staff should disability prevent them from carrying out the full range of tasks previously undertaken, and notes that the employment provisions of the DDA will shortly be extended to police officers, fire-fighters, prison officers and others, giving them protection from disability discrimination in employment; expresses the hope that all police forces will take up the recommendations for further action made by the Disability Rights Commission as soon as possible; and calls on the Government to promote awareness in police forces of the Act and the forthcoming changes and work to encourage positive attitudes toward the recruitment of disabled people as police officers.