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The Macpherson Report 10 years on | The Macpherson Report 10 years on |
(30 minutes later) | |
Guy Smith BBC London | Guy Smith BBC London |
Stephen Lawrence's murder was a watershed in British policing | Stephen Lawrence's murder was a watershed in British policing |
A decade after the Macpherson Report, have things fundamentally changed in the Met? BBC London's Home Affairs Correspondent Guy Smith talked to four serving officers about their experiences. | A decade after the Macpherson Report, have things fundamentally changed in the Met? BBC London's Home Affairs Correspondent Guy Smith talked to four serving officers about their experiences. |
Pc Jonathan Morrison has been with the Metropolitan Police for seven years. | Pc Jonathan Morrison has been with the Metropolitan Police for seven years. |
He will be 34 this year - the same age as Stephen Lawrence would have been if he had survived. | He will be 34 this year - the same age as Stephen Lawrence would have been if he had survived. |
The 18-year-old was stabbed in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop in Eltham, south London, in April 1993. Nobody has ever been convicted of his murder. | The 18-year-old was stabbed in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop in Eltham, south London, in April 1993. Nobody has ever been convicted of his murder. |
Almost half his lifetime later, Mr Morrison, who is also black, recalled how he lived in nearby Lewisham at the time of the murder. | Almost half his lifetime later, Mr Morrison, who is also black, recalled how he lived in nearby Lewisham at the time of the murder. |
Pc Jonathan Morrison says he would not be in the Met if it had not changed | Pc Jonathan Morrison says he would not be in the Met if it had not changed |
"I was disgusted with what happened. I was disgusted with how the police dealt with it. | "I was disgusted with what happened. I was disgusted with how the police dealt with it. |
"And at that time I would never have joined the police service." | "And at that time I would never have joined the police service." |
In February 1999, Sir William Macpherson published his report which is now regarded as a watershed in British race relations. | In February 1999, Sir William Macpherson published his report which is now regarded as a watershed in British race relations. |
It was a damning assessment, accusing the Met of "institutional racism". | It was a damning assessment, accusing the Met of "institutional racism". |
Many of the 70 recommendations made were aimed specifically at improving police attitudes and stressed the importance of recruiting more black and Asian police officers. | Many of the 70 recommendations made were aimed specifically at improving police attitudes and stressed the importance of recruiting more black and Asian police officers. |
Mr Morrison said: "I wouldn't be in it today if the Met hadn't changed. | Mr Morrison said: "I wouldn't be in it today if the Met hadn't changed. |
"But there's still room for improvement." | "But there's still room for improvement." |
'Totally changed' | 'Totally changed' |
He is one of about 2,700 ethnic minority officers in the Met, more than double the number 10 years ago. | He is one of about 2,700 ethnic minority officers in the Met, more than double the number 10 years ago. |
Currently, that is about 8.5% of the workforce - still significantly below the Home Office target of 25% by 2009. | Currently, that is about 8.5% of the workforce - still significantly below the Home Office target of 25% by 2009. |
Supt Dal Babu says the Met needs more Muslim officers | Supt Dal Babu says the Met needs more Muslim officers |
Supt Dal Babu, 45, is a senior Asian officer with 25 years' experience. | Supt Dal Babu, 45, is a senior Asian officer with 25 years' experience. |
"We now have dedicated murder squad teams. We have family liaison officers. | "We now have dedicated murder squad teams. We have family liaison officers. |
"It's made a massive difference how we investigate murders and that's a direct consequence of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry." | "It's made a massive difference how we investigate murders and that's a direct consequence of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry." |
But he believes the biggest challenge is to ensure more ethnic minority officers are in senior positions and in specialist units such as counter-terrorism. | But he believes the biggest challenge is to ensure more ethnic minority officers are in senior positions and in specialist units such as counter-terrorism. |
He said: "If the biggest threat is from Al Qaeda-inspired groups, then we need to have more Muslim officers who speak the language and understand the culture. | He said: "If the biggest threat is from Al Qaeda-inspired groups, then we need to have more Muslim officers who speak the language and understand the culture. |
"In the same way, we use African Caribbean officers for Trident operations and women for our Sapphire units (to investigate rape allegations). | "In the same way, we use African Caribbean officers for Trident operations and women for our Sapphire units (to investigate rape allegations). |
"It's not political correctness, it's about a business case. We have to make best use of the resources." | "It's not political correctness, it's about a business case. We have to make best use of the resources." |
The force has become more tolerant, says Det Sgt Kevin Boyle | The force has become more tolerant, says Det Sgt Kevin Boyle |
The Macpherson Report focused on race, but it also had an effect on issues of diversity and equality. | The Macpherson Report focused on race, but it also had an effect on issues of diversity and equality. |
Det Sgt Kevin Boyle, 56, works in Kensington & Chelsea and is openly gay. | Det Sgt Kevin Boyle, 56, works in Kensington & Chelsea and is openly gay. |
He said the most noticeable change was in the way officers now investigate hate crimes. | He said the most noticeable change was in the way officers now investigate hate crimes. |
"If a gay person came in to report a crime 10 years ago the officer would not have been comfortable to investigate or have known the correct terminology. | "If a gay person came in to report a crime 10 years ago the officer would not have been comfortable to investigate or have known the correct terminology. |
"They may have inadvertently 'outed' someone when taking a statement. It's totally changed. | "They may have inadvertently 'outed' someone when taking a statement. It's totally changed. |
'Sweeney' approach | 'Sweeney' approach |
"Officers are now trained in all aspects of diversity." | "Officers are now trained in all aspects of diversity." |
He said the notorious canteen culture had also all but disappeared. | He said the notorious canteen culture had also all but disappeared. |
Det Supt Caroline Bates says women are more accepted | Det Supt Caroline Bates says women are more accepted |
"I see plenty of colleagues who now proudly have pictures of their civil partners on their desk. | "I see plenty of colleagues who now proudly have pictures of their civil partners on their desk. |
"Before it would have been pictures of their parents or of a dog." | "Before it would have been pictures of their parents or of a dog." |
Det Supt Caroline Bates, 46, heads up the Met's Child Abuse Investigation Command. | Det Supt Caroline Bates, 46, heads up the Met's Child Abuse Investigation Command. |
She also believes the Met has changed for the better. | She also believes the Met has changed for the better. |
"There is an acceptance now that women can apply for any job or any rank - and that's just normal. | "There is an acceptance now that women can apply for any job or any rank - and that's just normal. |
"I've been a police officer for 16 years. It's still very male but I've noticed that some of the people who were my senior managers and had a 1970s Sweeney approach have gone." | "I've been a police officer for 16 years. It's still very male but I've noticed that some of the people who were my senior managers and had a 1970s Sweeney approach have gone." |