Met police chief launches diversity recruitment drive

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 12 Oct, 21:20 · Archive

Metropolitan police commissioner Mark Rowley has launched a major recruitment campaign targeting black and Asian officers. He said the drive is an operational necessity for effective policing, not a political statement, and vowed not to be deterred by criticism of diversity initiatives. Rowley, Britain's top police officer, said he is prepared to take a stand against what he called the 'toxicity' surrounding the diversity debate and criticised other leaders for avoiding the subject.

Rowley argued that inclusive policing depends on the trust of all communities and that the force cannot be effective if large sections of society do not trust it or see it as understanding their experiences. An inclusive workforce, he wrote, is not a public relations exercise but essential to protecting victims, catching criminals and preventing crime.

The disparity in representation is significant. In London, 46% of people are from a minority ethnic background, compared with 18% of Met officers. Just 3.7% of officers are black, compared to 13.5% of London's population. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said diversity is the capital's 'greatest strength' and that the city needs 'a police service that represents all of London's communities'.

How it is being reported

• Metropolitan Police chief accuses DEI opponents of fuelling 'toxicity' as he launches minority hiring spreeThe Chief of the Metropolitan Police has accused those opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policies of "toxicity". Sir Mark Rowley has vowed to ignore the "ideologies of the culture war" regarding inclusive recruitment policies, insisting it is an "operational necessity". It comes as the Met announced a major Police Constable recruitment campaign, calling for prospective employees "from all backgrounds". London Mayor Sadiq Khan said diversity is London's "greatest strength," and that the capital needs "a police service that represents all of London’s communities". TRENDING…GB News · 12 Oct, 21:08
• Met chief says ‘toxicity’ around DEI will not stop him recruiting more black and Asian officersMark Rowley says inclusivity is crucial for the force and he refuses to be ‘blown off course’ by critics Sir Mark Rowley: I will have more police officers of colour in the UK capital – and the culture wars won’t stop me doing it Mark Rowley has said the Metropolitan police must recruit more black and Asian officers in order to gain the trust of minority ethnic communities in London, and vowed not to be “blown off course by the culture wars”. The right has criticised drives for diversity , claiming they lead to lower standards . Rowley, who is commissioner of the Met and Britain’s top police…The Guardian · 12 Oct, 06:00
• I will have more police officers of colour in the UK capital – and the culture wars won’t stop me doing it | Mark RowleyIn our major recruitment drive, the focus must be on underrepresented communities. It is not favouritism, it is fairness – and it’s essential Mark Rowley is commissioner of the Metropolitan police Met chief says ‘toxicity’ around DEI will not stop him recruiting more Black and Asian officers Effective policing depends upon inclusivity. If you are committed to policing by consent that stands or falls on the trust of all communities, you cannot do without it. Last Monday, we launched a major recruitment campaign. We have no interest in the politics and ideologies of the culture wars. Inclusion…The Guardian · 12 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Mark Rowley · Metropolitan Police · Sadiq Khan · London

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