Metropolitan Police recognises its lack of diversity

Radical reforms in race relations laws could allow for positive discrimination in the recruitment of officers to the police, Scotland Yard argues. The proposals that the Metropolitan Police are considering, would include 50-50 white and ethnic minority recruitment, which as a policy is currently banned under the law. The growth in London’s BME communities is substantial according to the 2011 census. The census showed that White Britons made up 45% of London’s population- a decline from 58% in 2001 census.

However, this demographic change has not been reflected in the police service itself. There is a fear that the Metropolitan Police is losing touch with modern London- currently only 10% of officers are from a BME background. In addition to this, reports in the media about the treatment of BME officers, is more often than not, negative. A few weeks ago, former counter-terrorism officer Kevin Maxwell, claimed he was sacked because he reported racist and homophobic behaviour of police officers to his bosses. He reported that after reporting such behaviour, he was forced out, 

like an enemy of the state".

Kevin Maxwell’s story is not the only BME former employee of the police to complain of ‘racism’ in the police. Research carried out by Dr Ben Bradford of Oxford University on behalf, showed that stop and search on BME individuals had doubled since the Macpherson Inquiry 10 years ago. The number of white people stopped and searched in that time only rose ‘slightly’. This along with the low number of BME officers has led to fears of a growing gap between the police and London’s diverse communities.

The Met has discussed proposals for changes in the law with the government. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne recognises that 9 out of 10 Met officers are white, while the latest census data shows London population is 40% minority ethnic. He said,

the current law doesn't allow us to be as bold as we could be”.

Byrne stated that the ’50-50’ plans amounted to ‘positive discrimination’ and that,

We have not kept pace with the changing shape of London. The thing we have got to overcome, by legacy and history, we have broadly been, initially, a white, male-dominated organisation."

Other police forces support the motion. Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police said,

The police service is not as effective as it could be in countering terrorism because of its ethnic makeup. A big part of dealing with terrorism and crime is gathering intelligence, having people who get to know local people so they have the confidence to pass information."

However, encouraging BME individuals to apply to the force to simply act as intelligence gathering, should not be the main focus of this drive, and could potentially further alienate BME individuals, as they are effectively being recruited to ‘spy’ on their own communities.

Attempts to amend the law have ‘dragged’ on for years, but as new census data reveals, the apparent gap between the police force and London’s ethnic make-up only appears bigger. Positive discrimination is outlawed under the 2010 Equality Act. Positive discrimination is seen by some to give an ‘unfair’ advantage to under-privileged and under-represented groups, because they may not have the necessary qualifications for the job.

The news of the Metropolitan police is considering this, should be welcomed. It shows that they take the lack of BME officers issue seriously and are looking to remedy it. Policing would be more efficient and effective, if the police force reflected the make-up of a diverse and ever-changing London. There are many BME people who have the right qualifications to become police officers- but the current make-up of the police force along with the negative associations with it, make them more reluctant to go for jobs in the police service. In order for this to change the police must show a willingness to change- which discussions over this issue shows it might have.

Usman Butt