Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

27 NOVEMBER, 2003

REPORT OF THE

HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY

"THE SECRET POLICEMAN"

1. Both the Authority and the Constabulary have strongly condemned the behaviour uncovered by the BBC in their programme "The Secret Policeman". They welcomed the prompt action already taken to suspend the officers concerned and the commitment shown by Forces to take further action as necessary in the light of all the evidence now available.

2. Neither the Authority nor the Chief Constable will tolerate racism in the Force and are absolutely committed to stamping out this type of behaviour.

3. The Hampshire Constabulary celebrates and embraces diversity in all its forms and will continue to do so. The Chief Constable has informed his staff that there is no place in the Force for anyone who treats colleagues or members of the public differently according to their race, ethnic origin, nationality or any other irrelevant factor. In addition, he has reported to the Authority on ongoing and planned actions to eliminate, as far as possible, the type of behaviour and attitudes portrayed in the BBC Programme but also dealt with the elimination of all forms of unfair treatment and not just dealing with racism alone.

4. The Authority is satisfied, that the many policies, procedures and practices in place in the Force will eliminate unfair discrimination as far as it is possible to do so but it is accepted that more can be done.

5. For example, a meeting with the Chair of the Hampshire Black Police Association, soon after the programme, has resulted in a number of proposed actions which will be considered when further developing specific action plans. In addition, the Chief Constable's view is that the whole issue of standards must be considered and not merely focused on one issue. It was clear from the BBC Programme that the culprits were not simply racists but displayed the type of inappropriate attitudes and behaviours applicable across the whole spectrum of diversity. In his speech to the Police Federation on 16 October he stated that he does not want a politically correct Force, but that he is a champion of a Force which treats the communities and colleagues with courtesy and good manners in the context of promoting a positive culture of diversity.

6. As a result of the programme, any black minority ethnic individuals who are due to join the Hampshire Force and have been offered start dates, are being contacted by the Force Positive Action Officer to offer reassurance. Those applicants who are already within the recruitment process are also being contacted by that Officer to reassure and encourage them not to withdraw their applications.

7. A review of organisational development needs will be undertaken, involving all key stakeholders groups (internal and external) by identifying:-

    · Where the Force is now and where it wants to get to.

    · A clear definition of the business case for diversity within a police context.

    · Such an approach is by no means a quick fix and would incorporate race as one aspect of individual difference within a broad spectrum.

    · The appropriate means of fostering sustainable culture change, looking beyond existing knowledge and awareness training (with the related fixation on politically correct language), by for example:-

    · Addressing deeper value systems and motivating visions to aspire to, rather than being pushed by external forces.

    · A review of the diversity training is also a specific action for the new Head of Training who commenced work in September, 2003. In addition, a review of the system for strategic oversight of diversity matters will be undertaken in the near future and research, already planned to commence in January, 2004, will be conducted into the views of minority ethnic staff.

8. Also planned for March, 2004, is the adoption of the National Assessment Centre which tests candidates 7 times for diversity. Diversity issues are also being placed firmly within the standard performance review culture.

9. Finally, the Authority and the Chief Constable welcome and will fully co-operate with the Commission for Racial Equality Enquiry. The Chairman of the CRE wrote to all Forces announcing the CRE's intention to set up an enquiry into each Force's approach to eliminating racism in both dealing with communities and colleagues.

10. In conclusion, the Authority will continue to monitor progress in this area and, in the meantime, supports the Chief Constable's advice to his staff in his e-mail to the whole Force on 22 October that "their professionalism is the best advertisement possible for an impartial and highly professional police service and this is the best possible antidote to the unrepresentative image displayed last night".