Police Heads Debate Ethnic Quotas

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.

Some 3.7% of officers are from ethnic minorities, but the Home Office target is to achieve 7% by 2009. Acpo says this cannot be reached if positive discrimination stays banned. 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. 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.