This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6570545.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Police heads debate ethnic quotas Police heads debate ethnic quotas
(10 minutes later)
Chief Constables in England and Wales are to discuss whether to boost the recruitment of black and Asian officers by positive discrimination.Chief Constables in England and Wales are to discuss whether to boost the recruitment of black and Asian officers by positive discrimination.
The plan to be debated by the Association of Chief Police Officers would need employment law changes - a move not favoured by the Home Office. The Association of Chief Police Officers will debate the move, which would need employment law changes.
Some 3.7% of officers are from ethnic minorities, but the Home Office target is to achieve 7% by 2009. Under the plan, women would also get priority in order to boost numbers.
Acpo says this cannot be reached if positive discrimination stays banned. Acpo says raising the 3.7% of officers from ethnic minorities to the Home Office's 7% target by 2009 cannot be done without positive discrimination.
Fast-track systemFast-track system
However, a change to employment law is not favoured by the Home Office.
Peter Fahy, chief constable of Cheshire, who speaks for Acpo on race and diversity, is calling for a debate on amending the law.Peter Fahy, chief constable of Cheshire, who speaks for Acpo on race and diversity, is calling for a debate on amending the law.
Under the changes being considered, black and Asian recruits with the necessary qualifications would be fast-tracked, to meet quotas set by each force.Under the changes being considered, black and Asian recruits with the necessary qualifications would be fast-tracked, to meet quotas set by each force.
Female candidates would also be given priority to boost numbers.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the Home Office had indicated it would prefer to work within existing laws to increase the numbers from ethnic minorities applying to join the police.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the Home Office had indicated it would prefer to work within existing laws to increase the numbers from ethnic minorities applying to join the police.
But Keith Jarrett, President of the National Black Police Association, said he supported the use of affirmative action.But Keith Jarrett, President of the National Black Police Association, said he supported the use of affirmative action.
He told the BBC: "If we look at Hounslow in London, it's a borough that is predominantly from a minority ethnic background.He told the BBC: "If we look at Hounslow in London, it's a borough that is predominantly from a minority ethnic background.
"Now whilst my white colleagues are immensely qualified to do the job, I would put forward that Hounslow would be better served as a borough by a person from an Asian background, who has got culture in common with the local inhabitants, and perhaps speaks the same language.""Now whilst my white colleagues are immensely qualified to do the job, I would put forward that Hounslow would be better served as a borough by a person from an Asian background, who has got culture in common with the local inhabitants, and perhaps speaks the same language."
Nick Johnson, from the Commission for Racial Equality, said there were better ways of addressing the problem of under-representation.Nick Johnson, from the Commission for Racial Equality, said there were better ways of addressing the problem of under-representation.
"Positive action is about going into certain communities, targeting resources, targeting promotional work, building up training and development - that's something we would support."Positive action is about going into certain communities, targeting resources, targeting promotional work, building up training and development - that's something we would support.
"Picking someone simply because of the colour of their skin for a job is not something we would support.""Picking someone simply because of the colour of their skin for a job is not something we would support."
'Fair and square''Fair and square'
British Transport Police officer Trina Allen told BBC News she did not feel she had been given special treatment when she had applied for her job.British Transport Police officer Trina Allen told BBC News she did not feel she had been given special treatment when she had applied for her job.
She said: "I'd hate to think that I'd get my job because of my colour. I've been through the entire process and at no point there was anything hidden to say 'apply because you're black'."She said: "I'd hate to think that I'd get my job because of my colour. I've been through the entire process and at no point there was anything hidden to say 'apply because you're black'."
Chaz Singh, who was turned down by the force, said it would not be right to get the job because of a person's colour.Chaz Singh, who was turned down by the force, said it would not be right to get the job because of a person's colour.
"I didn't get the job fair and square. It didn't go any further than that," he said."I didn't get the job fair and square. It didn't go any further than that," he said.
"But to turn round and now be received in the sense that I could apply for a job because of my colour, I think that's wrong. I don't think colour should come before ability.""But to turn round and now be received in the sense that I could apply for a job because of my colour, I think that's wrong. I don't think colour should come before ability."