90 per cent of police race equality schemes failing, says CRE

Monday, 14 June 2004 12:00 AM

Police efforts to stamp out internal racism are failing, according to an interim report from the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE).

It found that over 90 per cent of race equality schemes inspected failed to meet minimum legal requirements.

Despite the provision of a race equality scheme being a statutory requirement, the CRE found three police authorities do not have a written scheme.

Out of the sample 15 police force schemes and five police authority schemes investigated, only one of the police force schemes was fully compliant with legislation.

Those forces and authorities are being urged to rewrite their schemes by May 2005 and the CRE are requested to commence "enforcement action".

Sir David Calvert-Smith, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are concerned that, despite significant effort and expense being put into diversity training since the Lawrence Inquiry, there appears to be little evidence that this training is: giving officers an understanding of what constitutes racial discrimination and how it can lead to an abuse of police powers; challenging stereotypical and prejudiced attitudes; encouraging personal re-examination of such attitudes and supporting officers to challenge racism in the workplace.

"It is also evident that a widespread culture of fear still persists in the police service, so that many with legitimate grievances or problems - particularly probationers - are afraid to raise their concerns for fear of the consequences."

Sir David noted that many of the concerns have been raised before by other inquiries. He acknowledged progress has been made post Lawrence, but he also warned: "Our evidence suggests that there is still a long way to go and that good intentions are simply not being matched by action."

All of these concerns will be addressed in greater detail in the second stage of the inquiry, with the final report expected in early 2005.

Sir David said that he is "adamant that this formal investigation is not going to be just another excuse to attack the police, but will offer the Police Service and related bodies an opportunity to effect realistic, practicable and effective change."

The chairman of the CRE, Trevor Phillips, told journalists that that the CRE will use all of its powers to "support or compel" the police to adhere to race regulations.

Mr Phillips explained that the revelations brought to light by the BBC documentary "the Secret Policeman", compounded the CRE's "serious concerns" and prompted the body to launch the investigation.

He said the BBC documentary was a "watershed" mark and stressed the CRE aims to ensure that "racism us not just frowned upon, but eliminated".

Commenting on the report's interim findings, Mr Phillips said: "This is profoundly disappointing. It is also unacceptable."

"If you are a law enforcement agency, the best way to start is by obeying the law".

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