A decade after the Macpherson Inquiry, the Equality and Human Rights Commission reports there has been ‘significant progress' in race issues in the police with improvements in recruitment, training and employment of ethnic minority staff but twice as many ethnic minority staff drop out in their first six months of service compared with their white counterparts.
The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary reports the fire arms, robbery and anti-terrorist groups are still closed to ethnic minorities, with most believing their ‘face would not fit' with the ‘canteen culture' of white, middle-class men who work hard, play hard and drink alcohol.
The commission is recommending stronger monitoring of performance to ensure positive progress for the police.
Ethnic minorities still unwelcome in certain police units
Some specialist units are still seen as closed shops for ethnic minority police officers in England and Wales.