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Inquiry into Met racism concerns Inquiry into Met racism concerns
(about 1 hour later)
London Mayor Boris Johnson has launched a probe into alleged racism in the city's police force. London's mayor, Boris Johnson, has launched an investigation into alleged racism in the city's police force.
It comes as the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MBPA) said it would discourage prospective black and Asian recruits from applying to the force.It comes as the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MBPA) said it would discourage prospective black and Asian recruits from applying to the force.
The MBPA said it would "be failing in its duty" not to tell people of the "hostile and racist situation there".The MBPA said it would "be failing in its duty" not to tell people of the "hostile and racist situation there".
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair announced his resignation earlier this week. But its stance was criticised by the National Association of Muslim Police, which said it had "grave concerns".
Mr Johnson, attending his first meeting as chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), told members Sir Ian Blair had to go because his leadership was under question. The MBPA said it would "actively discourage" potential applicants from applying to join the Metropolitan Police and boycott any recruitment drives targeting minorities.
It claimed the working environment for existing black staff within the force was "a hostile atmosphere where racism is allowed to spread".
Cindy Butts of the Metropolitan Police Authority says the Met is improvingCindy Butts of the Metropolitan Police Authority says the Met is improving
"Everyone in London wants the police to get on with their jobs with complete focus and undistracted - with an undistracted leadership," he said. "Those who challenge it are either suspended, told to shut up or subtly held back in relation to career development," said a MBPA spokesman.
"That is why I came, over a long period and after much consultation with members of this authority and others, to the reluctant conclusion that it was time for someone else to make a new start and offer a new lead at the top of the Met." "We would be failing our duty as an association if we did not share our current experiences with those who want to join the [force].
However, the MBPA said it would continue to "actively discourage" potential applicants from applying to join the Metropolitan Police and boycott any recruitment drives targeting minorities.
"The Metropolitan Police, under the current management and supervision of the Metropolitan Police Authority, have made the working environment for its existing black staff a hostile atmosphere where racism is allowed to spread and those who challenge it are either suspended, told to shut up or subtly held back in relation to career development," said a BPA spokesman.
"We would be failing our duty as an association if we did not share our current experiences with those who want to join the MPS.
The fact that we have trebled the number of black and minority ethnic sergeants and above is good news Cindy Butts, MPA member Black police chief speaks out
"We will not put up or shut up to racism and inequality.""We will not put up or shut up to racism and inequality."
But Supt Dal Babu of the National Association of Muslim Police Officers said his organisation was deeply opposed to the recruitment boycott.
"We don't think that's the way forward," he told BBC London.
He said the MBPA had done "some really sterling and excellent work" but it was better for the two organisations to "see how we can work with the Metropolitan Police Service together and try and increase the number of minorities within the organisation".
The MBPA said the current suspensions of Commander Ali Dizaei and Britain's most senior Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, were proof that ethnic minority officers were treated less favourably than white staff.The MBPA said the current suspensions of Commander Ali Dizaei and Britain's most senior Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, were proof that ethnic minority officers were treated less favourably than white staff.
Mr Dizaei was suspended after being accused of misconduct, while Mr Ghaffur was "temporarily relieved of his responsibilities" by then Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. The fact that we have trebled the number of black and minority ethnic sergeants and above is good news Cindy Butts, MPA member class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7651605.stm">Black police chief speaks out Mr Dizaei was suspended after being accused of misconduct, while Mr Ghaffur was "temporarily relieved of his responsibilities" by then Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
This was because of the way he had "chosen to conduct himself" in the media, following his £1.2m racial discrimination claim filed against the Met, Sir Ian said.This was because of the way he had "chosen to conduct himself" in the media, following his £1.2m racial discrimination claim filed against the Met, Sir Ian said.
Dal Babu of the National Association of Muslim Police Officers told BBC News that his organisation did not support the recruitment boycott. Sir Ian announced his resignation as commissioner last week.
He said they have always thought it was best to work alongside other officers to effect change. And Mr Johnson, attending his first meeting as chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), told members Sir Ian had to go because his leadership was under question.
"Everyone in London wants the police to get on with their jobs with complete focus and undistracted - with an undistracted leadership," he said.
"That is why I came, over a long period and after much consultation with members of this authority and others, to the reluctant conclusion that it was time for someone else to make a new start and offer a new lead at the top of the Met."
'Phenomenal achievement''Phenomenal achievement'
Metropolitan Police Authority member Cindy Butts will be leading the inquiry. The inquiry announced by Mr Johnson into alleged racism will be led by Metropolitan Police Authority member Cindy Butts.
She told the BBC that the force had done much to improve itself since it was labelled "institutionally racist" by the Macpherson inquiry 10 years ago.She told the BBC that the force had done much to improve itself since it was labelled "institutionally racist" by the Macpherson inquiry 10 years ago.
"At least 20% of all new recruits into Hendon police training college are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds," she said."At least 20% of all new recruits into Hendon police training college are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds," she said.
"Now that is a phenomenal achievement given where we were 10 years ago.""Now that is a phenomenal achievement given where we were 10 years ago."
She added: "The fact that we have trebled the number of black and minority ethnic sergeants and above is good news, but it is not good enough, and that's why we are holding this inquiry."She added: "The fact that we have trebled the number of black and minority ethnic sergeants and above is good news, but it is not good enough, and that's why we are holding this inquiry."
Kent Chief Constable Mike Fuller, Britain's most senior black police officer, told the BBC that most ethnic minority police have to work harder than their white colleagues to succeed.Kent Chief Constable Mike Fuller, Britain's most senior black police officer, told the BBC that most ethnic minority police have to work harder than their white colleagues to succeed.
In an interview for the BBC's Panorama, Chief Constable Fuller said he himself had fallen prey to racism, with people having tried to block past promotions. In an interview for the BBC's Panorama, Chief Constable Fuller said he had fallen prey to racism, with people having tried to block past promotions.
Are you in an ethnic minority working for the police? Are you thinking of joining the force? Send us your comments by filling in the form below.Are you in an ethnic minority working for the police? Are you thinking of joining the force? Send us your comments by filling in the form below.
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