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Fairer jobs call for black police | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Fairer selection is need in the police to promote black and Asian officers to the top ranks, a police chief has said. | |
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Chief Constable of Cheshire Peter Fahey admitted whispering campaigns were holding back ethnic minorities. | |
Until recently Mr Fahey was the lead on race diversity for the police service. | Until recently Mr Fahey was the lead on race diversity for the police service. |
Cmdr Ali Dizaei of the National Black Police Association said the police was "institutionally racist" and selected "acceptable not suitable" candidates. | |
'Face not fitting' | 'Face not fitting' |
Currently, seven out of more than 200 officers at assistant chief constable rank and above are from ethnic minorities. | Currently, seven out of more than 200 officers at assistant chief constable rank and above are from ethnic minorities. |
According to BBC correspondent Barnie Choudhury, many within the police believe there are whispering campaigns to stop them reaching the top. | According to BBC correspondent Barnie Choudhury, many within the police believe there are whispering campaigns to stop them reaching the top. |
It is [the police] less institutionally racist than 10 years ago. Have we got a clean bill of health now? No. Is it within our grasp? Possibly Commander Ali Dizaei | |
Asked whether this was true, Mr Fahey said he could not deny this was happening. | Asked whether this was true, Mr Fahey said he could not deny this was happening. |
He said in an organisation like the police often it can be about your face not fitting and whether you are in some existing power networks. | He said in an organisation like the police often it can be about your face not fitting and whether you are in some existing power networks. |
Responding to Mr Fahey's comments, Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme the police was "institutionally racist". | |
"It is less institutionally racist than 10 years ago," he said. | |
"Have we got a clean bill of health now? No. Is it within our grasp? Possibly." | |
The Iranian-born officer, who is the National Black Police Association president, attempted to become a commander five times before he was accepted. | |
He was also at the centre of a four-year £4m investigation over allegations of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office. He was cleared of the charges by the Old Bailey in 2003. | |
He told Andrew Marr the allegations had been racially motivated. | |
"We are told a lot of anecdotal evidence and representations from black and Asian officers and support staff up and down the country that they have to work twice as hard to get recognised." | |
He said the system was "based on who was acceptable rather than suitable". |