Inquiry into Met racism concerns

Sully

London Mayor Boris Johnson is to order an inquiry into concerns raised about alleged racism faced by ethnic minority officers in the Metropolitan Police.

It comes after the Metropolitan Black Police Association (BPA) said it would discourage black and Asian potential recruits from applying to the force.

It said it would "be failing in its duty" not to tell them of the "hostile and racist situation there".

The Met's deputy commissioner said he wanted to work with the Met BPA.

Mr Johnson, who is attending his first meeting as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, is to demand the probe into concerns raised by black and Asian staff in an effort to end internal force problems.

Source: BBC

Interesting news report I must say. Is this the same attitude in Ireland? Iv never seen a foreign national work in the Guards.

deadwood

Sully wrote: »

Iv never seen a foreign national work in the Guards.

There's at least 3 from Leitrim.

Paulzx

I think Dubs used to be an ethnic minority in the Guards. Don't seem to be anymore though. Must of been a positive discrimination campaign:)

TheNog

When I was in Phase 3 there was three Asians starting out in Phase 1. I heard later that one of them was seriously assaulted in Cabra while on Phase 2 along with 2 members.

I say bring on more of them. Can be nothing only good as long as they are accepted by all in the Force.

Gyalist

I saw a Chinese guy about 4 weeks ago on Camden Street.

deadwood

Isn't ojewrieg a polish poster (where is he now?) who applied too?
The more the merrier, I say.

All we neeeed is a great big meltig pot, big enough to take the world and all it's got

Come on, everybody sing together, yes you down the back (not in the Rosa Parks way)!

metman

I can say without any shadow of a doubt I have never encountered any racist officers in the MPS. We're not perfect but I've no time for racists, and neither do the people I work with. This claim by the BPA is a tactical move to get their tip for the top (the current CC of Kent, the only black Chief Constable in the UK) into the running for the position of Commissioner.

The Met political? You couldn't make it up!

deadwood

metman wrote: »

I can say without any shadow of a doubt I have never encountered any racist officers in the MPS. We're not perfect but I've no time for racists, and neither do the people I work with. This claim by the BPA is a tactical move to get their tip for the top (the current CC of Kent, the only black Chief Constable in the UK) into the running for the position of Commissioner.

The Met political? You couldn't make it up!

Not stirring metman.
Cressida Dick (I googled) claimed the Met was Institionally Racist http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/apr/22/lawrence.ukcrime

Did this prompt a reaction like "ok, now it's official, lets weed out biggots and move on"

or confirm the beliefs/fears of interested groups.

Just a note on political appointments. Supers and over are "appointed" by the Minister for J.E.L.R., don't forget.
I wouldn't mind Boris appointing a few supernintendos here after a night on the claret!

metman

I don't think it did either. I can only speak from my own experience and I do not work with racist officers, skippers or guvnors. What goes on beyond my experience I cannot comment on, but with the amount of diversity training we have to take I'd be amazed if any racists could stick life in the job.

And as for Cressida Dick, this is the same woman who two years later was gold commander on the DeMenezes job.....

The Met will always be subject to being called racist, as sadly its practices were affected by racists within its ranks (the Stephen Lawrence investigation being one example) once upon a time.

deadwood

Thanks for that.
A considered and honest reply. As a Garda, race hasn't really been an issue here until the last 10 years or so. I haven't had much interaction with ethnic minorities outside work.

Due to the nature of my work, I usually meet people in a "negative" context. Easy to see how a guard, or any person, might form a bigoted opinion of blow-ins/immigrants/refugees etc. These guys usually become tiresome, though after a couple of "...they come over here and yadda, yadda..." rants.

metman

I work on a Trident Borough, i.e a gun enabled crime/murder hotspot amongst the back community, in the capital. The majority of people living on the ground are of an ethnic minority background, mostly jamaicans, somalis, and various other back african backgrounds. There are also a large proportion of Asians. White people are in the minority (so two white dudes in suits in a crappy old mondeo with no hubcaps tend to get clocked easy enough) on the borough.

And what 'nature of work' do you think I'm in? I seldom meet people under good circumstances, but by and large the majority of people I deal with are pro police, with the natural exception of those that warrant my professional attention.

This statement by the BPA is not reflective in my experience of the MPS, and does not help any copper, not only in London, but in the whole of the UK, as it gives those who try to frustrate the process using claims of racism or predjudice, additional ammunition with which to target police. But, as a white male, the BPA would probably argue that I do not know what I'm talking about.

deadwood

metman wrote: »

And what 'nature of work' do you think I'm in?

Sorry, I was aiming that one at the independent observer. I hope there's a few looking on.(let us know if there is!)

Eru

Sully wrote: »

Source: BBC

Iv never seen a foreign national work in the Guards.

How much time do you spend watching us and how many have you actually seen? there are a good few now, Polish, Chinese, etc.

Bottom line, any force will have racists but its a two-way street. Being accused based on skin colour is racism in itself. Come in, get on with the job and get involved with your colleagues.

Come in, start throwing your weight around and making accusations and / or expecting more simple because of your skin colour or nationality and yes, you will not be popular. It wont be because were recist, it will because your an asshole.

deadwood

I get a lot of abuse because of my looks too. People just assume that, just because i've an action-man face (70's version with realistic hair and swivel eyes) and a bod designed for sin, I fit into a stereotype.
I'm like, hellooOho!

TheNog

deadwood wrote: »

I get a lot of abuse because of my looks too. People just assume that, just because i've an action-man face (70's version with realistic hair and swivel eyes) and a bod designed for sin, I fit into a stereotype.
I'm like, hellooOho!

Which one are you??




or

deadwood

TheNog wrote: »

Which one are you??

I've waxed since this was taken.