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23/09/2003
Overcoming racism is vital to policing: Blunkett
Overcoming racism and exclusion is "vital" to community policing, Home Secretary David Blunkett will today tell the National Black Police Association (NBPA).
Speaking to the NBPA annual conference in Cardiff today, the Home Secretary will call on members to work with police forces to "keep up the momentum for change".
Mr Blunkett will say: "An effective, modern, visible and community focused service is vital if we are to maintain delivery and achieve the civil renewal and engagement agenda that we're promoting. Not least because we're endeavouring to get over a history of less than acceptable approaches to diversity as a nation and, historically, amongst the police service.
"We have the opportunity to do this now. The demographics of the police service are changing and with the recruitment of a wider, more diverse police staff, we are already seeing a vastly different organisation to even 10 years ago, which will and must reflect the communities they serve."
Concluding the speech, he will say: "For the police service to tackle crime and win the trust and confidence of the communities they serve, they must focus on neighbourhood community based policing, engaging with their communities who have a large part to play in achieving community cohesion.
"Ultimately I want a police force that people can be proud to join, a force that protects and serves communities - all communities."
The number of minority ethnic officers has increased by over 50% since targets were set in 1999, and minority ethnic representation of police staff is currently at 6%.
(gmcg)
Speaking to the NBPA annual conference in Cardiff today, the Home Secretary will call on members to work with police forces to "keep up the momentum for change".
Mr Blunkett will say: "An effective, modern, visible and community focused service is vital if we are to maintain delivery and achieve the civil renewal and engagement agenda that we're promoting. Not least because we're endeavouring to get over a history of less than acceptable approaches to diversity as a nation and, historically, amongst the police service.
"We have the opportunity to do this now. The demographics of the police service are changing and with the recruitment of a wider, more diverse police staff, we are already seeing a vastly different organisation to even 10 years ago, which will and must reflect the communities they serve."
Concluding the speech, he will say: "For the police service to tackle crime and win the trust and confidence of the communities they serve, they must focus on neighbourhood community based policing, engaging with their communities who have a large part to play in achieving community cohesion.
"Ultimately I want a police force that people can be proud to join, a force that protects and serves communities - all communities."
The number of minority ethnic officers has increased by over 50% since targets were set in 1999, and minority ethnic representation of police staff is currently at 6%.
(gmcg)
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