Last updated 12:12, Monday, 13 October 2008

CUMBRIA police have been praised for their efforts to recruit officers from ethnic minorities.

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But it has been warned it “must do more” to progress their careers.

Unity, the association supporting black and ethnic minority police, added that some of the county’s officers had suffered racism and it would be “naive” to believe it did not exist.

But overt discrimination was now rare, if ever seen at all, added Unity chairman and serving Cumbrian officer, Chief Inspector Bob Qazi.

He was speaking following claims nationally that black and Asian police officers often have to work twice as hard as their white peers to gain recognition.

In a BBC Panorama programme, the UK’s first black chief constable, Mike Fuller, claimed there was “a real problem of minority officers in senior ranks coming through”.

This was followed by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announcing a two-week appraisal of recruitment and promotion practices in forces across England and Wales.

She acted after the Metropolitan Police’s Black Police Association revealed it would boycott recruitment drives among ethnic minorities.

Chief Insp Qazi said Unity welcomed any review, adding: “It would be naive for anyone to believe that racism does not exist among the members of the force.

“However, we firmly believe those officers and staff who hold such views are in the very small minority.

“However, racism can manifest itself in a more covert way through barriers, such as preventing people from being promoted or specialising.

“We feel the force must do more to ensure black and minority ethnic officers and staff progress as they deserve in the service.”

He said this could happen through “positive action initiatives”, which ensure people get the development they need in their careers.

Chief Insp Qazi stressed this was different from positive discrimination and added: “We believe Chief Constable Craig Mackey is committed to this.

“Racism, along with other forms of discrimination, is present in the police service.

“Unity will be tireless in its efforts to tackle it in Cumbria.

“But it believes the way forward is not through boycotting recruitment initiatives or recommending black and minority ethnic people should not join the police service.

“Instead, we firmly believe efforts should continue to recruit officers and staff from all minority groups to make our constabulary truly representative of the community it serves.”

Cumbria has 14 officers, five civilian staff and three special constables of black or ethnic minority out of a total of 1,262 officers and 1,030 staff.

The force’s Deputy Chief Constable, Christine Twigg, heads a national panel which looks at issues surrounding the progression of black and ethnic minority officers and staff.

She stressed the force had already exceeded its 2009 target for recruiting minority officers, adding: “We always strive to improve recruitment and retention of officers and staff from all under-represented groups.

“We are working to ensure that these people receive the support they need to reach their potential.

“We are committed to eliminating discrimination and establishing an ethos of fair treatment for everyone.

“All officers and staff undergo comprehensive diversity training.

“We hold regular positive action recruitment days to encourage members of minority groups to consider a career with the constabulary.”