Top cop's 'race bias' plea on recruits

GREATER Manchester's new chief constable has said the only way to meet targets to recruit black and Asian officers is to give them preferential treatment.

Peter Fahy was speaking 10 years to the day after his predecessor David Wilmot said the force was `institutionally racist'.

Since then GMP introduced a target of recruiting 7.2 per cent of its 8,142 staff from ethnic minorities.

But today the M.E.N. can reveal the force has just 4.25 per cent - 346 police officers - from a black or Asian background, and none among the higher ranks.

Mr Fahy said `affirmative action should be considered' but that it would never happen because of `public mood'.

He said: "I don't agree with it in principle because you should be looking at every candidate asking if they are the most talented person available.

"But there is a very strong operational need for us to have a more representative police force to deal with a complex society. Because of the public mood, affirmative action would reduce confidence in the police - politically it will never happen."Minority officers don't wholeheartedly support it because they feel people will think they have got the job because of their race. We are criticised whatever we do."

Ten years ago GMP had just 79 ethnic minority officers - the figure is now 272, but it would still have to double to be representative of population. Just under nine per cent of Greater Manchester is from an ethnic minority background.Yousef Dar, from the Greater Manchester Muslim Police Association, said: "If we are saying that we can't go out and recruit more black and ethnic minority officers, that is a damning indictment on GMP. What does that do to people's trust and confidence?"In terms of the education system, Asian people tend to be among the highest achievers. Why can't they also be high achievers in the police - are there barriers there?"Charles Crichlow of the Black and Asian Police Association said: "I think it is time to drop our hang-ups about it and look at those proposals if we are serious about having a more representative force and one which is democratic and accountable."

Most recent 2 of 67 user comments

Do you ever see or hear of Airline Pilots being recruited on the basis of race? Of one type of minority being given preferential treatment? The answer is NO. You see, when they need someone to do a job as important as looking after the lives of 400 passengers, its purely down to the best able and qualified person who is available being recruited to do the job. You should check it out, there is no PC policy in the skies, not even the politically correct do-gooders would like to fly on a plane piloted by someone who is not there because they are suited to doing the job, but because they arent up to it but satisfy a quota and possibly cost 400 lives, a 115 million pound plane and countless law suits. My bosses have it right, thats for sure. Oh and by the way - get yourselves out of the UK if you ever get the chance, its a sinking ship.
stu1975nw, dubai14/10/2008 at 18:12

if this was the other was round and they where calling for more white people into something it would be branded as racist. so why isn't a comment like this? racism only occurs in people that see it as racism. everyone else just carrys on as normal. everybody is equal whatever background, religion or skin colour!
Jay B, oldham14/10/2008 at 16:29

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1072077_top_cops_race_bias_plea_on_recruits

NWN: Where do they keep finding these 'top coppers' ?

The last one, who committed suicide, couldn't keep his hands or his nether regions off his female staff.

This one, seeks to enforce HIS view, that we must have asian and black coppers. Even if they themselves, don't want to be police officers.

Why can't we have a 'top copper' who wants to fight crime ?