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Race row prompts diversity talks Race row prompts diversity talks
(about 18 hours later)
Diversity advisers have said they are in active discussions with Kent Police after claims of racism in the force.Diversity advisers have said they are in active discussions with Kent Police after claims of racism in the force.
The claims were made by Det Sgt Wendell Henry after a BBC report about two black men who said they were strip searched without justification.The claims were made by Det Sgt Wendell Henry after a BBC report about two black men who said they were strip searched without justification.
Carol Stewart, from Kent's Independent Advisory Group (IAG), said the comments were "a blow" to diversity work. Kent Police said it did not tolerate racism.Carol Stewart, from Kent's Independent Advisory Group (IAG), said the comments were "a blow" to diversity work. Kent Police said it did not tolerate racism.
IAGs were formed after a recommendation from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.IAGs were formed after a recommendation from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
Diversity awardDiversity award
On Wednesday, Alioune Haynes, from Gillingham, said he was angry that an officer who strip-searched him had not faced a disciplinary hearing.On Wednesday, Alioune Haynes, from Gillingham, said he was angry that an officer who strip-searched him had not faced a disciplinary hearing.
Mr Haynes made a complaint against an officer after he was searched following a visit to a Chatham nightclub in 2005. Mr Haynes made a complaint against an officer after he was searched following a visit to a Chatham nightclub in 2006.
An off-duty black police officer, a friend of Mr Haynes, was also strip-searched after visiting the nightclub in 2006, and filed an official report about the incident. An off-duty black police officer, a friend of Mr Haynes, was also strip-searched after visiting the nightclub on the same night, and filed an official report about the incident.
Two officers were due to appear at a disciplinary hearing in June, but it was halted for legal reasons.Two officers were due to appear at a disciplinary hearing in June, but it was halted for legal reasons.
After the BBC report, Det Sgt Henry, a member of the National Black Police Association (NBPA), said racism in the force was "widespread".After the BBC report, Det Sgt Henry, a member of the National Black Police Association (NBPA), said racism in the force was "widespread".
Kent Police issued a statement which said: "Any allegation of racism will be investigated thoroughly.Kent Police issued a statement which said: "Any allegation of racism will be investigated thoroughly.
"If any evidence is found then swift action will follow.""If any evidence is found then swift action will follow."
It said the force had been presented with a Diversity Award from the NBPA in 2006.It said the force had been presented with a Diversity Award from the NBPA in 2006.