Fairer selection is need in the police to promote black and Asian officers to the top ranks, a police chief has said.
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 Fahy admitted whispering campaigns were holding back ethnic minorities.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Chief Constable of Cheshire Peter Fahy admitted whispering campaigns were holding back ethnic minorities.
Until recently Mr Fahy was the lead on race diversity for the police service.
Until recently Mr Fahy 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.
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
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 Fahy said he could not deny this was happening.
Asked whether this was true, Mr Fahy 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 Fahy's comments, Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme the police was "institutionally racist".
Responding to Mr Fahy'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.
"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."
"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.
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 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.
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."
"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".
He said the system was "based on who was acceptable rather than suitable".
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