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Non-white bias 'wrong for police' Non-white bias 'wrong for police'
(about 16 hours later)
A rise in ethnic minority officers at the Metropolitan Police has proved positive discrimination is not needed, the force's commissioner has said. A rise in ethnic minority officers at the Metropolitan Police (Met) has proved positive discrimination is not needed, the commissioner has said.
Sir Ian Blair said non-white officers would make up 24% of the Met's force by December - a rise of 7% in 12 months. Sir Ian Blair said non-white officers would make up 24% of the Met's new recruits in 2007, a rise of 7% on 2006.
He told the National Black Police Association (NBPA) favouring non-white candidates was "yesterday's solution".He told the National Black Police Association (NBPA) favouring non-white candidates was "yesterday's solution".
He said he felt forces should work harder at targeting their recruitment at black and Asian communities.He said he felt forces should work harder at targeting their recruitment at black and Asian communities.
The NBPA was debating if forces should openly favour non-white applicants.The NBPA was debating if forces should openly favour non-white applicants.
We've started this process way behind everybody else. The status quo just isn't doing it Keith Jarrett, NBPA PresidentWe've started this process way behind everybody else. The status quo just isn't doing it Keith Jarrett, NBPA President
Sir Ian said he was unconvinced by the argument and insisted forces needed to work harder at targeting their recruitment in ethnic minority communities.Sir Ian said he was unconvinced by the argument and insisted forces needed to work harder at targeting their recruitment in ethnic minority communities.
"I'm against it. I think it's yesterday's solution," he said. "It's so fraught with difficulties, there must be another option and in the Metropolitan Police we've seen the other option develop before our eyes."I'm against it. I think it's yesterday's solution," he said. "It's so fraught with difficulties, there must be another option and in the Metropolitan Police we've seen the other option develop before our eyes.
"The only way we're going to persuade groups of people to join the police service is by giving them a decent standard of service and have a natural stake in it."The only way we're going to persuade groups of people to join the police service is by giving them a decent standard of service and have a natural stake in it.
But Keith Jarrett, president of the NBPA said: "How many years will it take, if we continue with the status quo, to achieve parity?" he said.But Keith Jarrett, president of the NBPA said: "How many years will it take, if we continue with the status quo, to achieve parity?" he said.
"We've started this process way behind everybody else. The status quo just isn't doing it.""We've started this process way behind everybody else. The status quo just isn't doing it."