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Police racism could be ‘vastly under reported’
b11-067 Police HQ Kempston. JE wk 3
RACE related disciplinary action has been taken against 57 police officers at Bedfordshire Police since 1999.
But campaigners claimed this week that racist behaviour often goes unreported and police chiefs should make sure that people feel able to make complaints.
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request showed that incidences of racism ranged from sending offensive text messages to making racist comments during an incident while off duty.
In one case 10 sergeants and a chief inspector were reprimanded for receiving and forwarding an inappropriate email which could be deemed to be of a racist nature while in a supervisory position.
The last recorded incident was resolved in July 2009 and the race of the offending staff members is not know.
There are currently 2,214 white staff members serving on Bedfordshire Police, while 193 are mixed race, black or black British, Asian or Asian British, Chinese or other or not stated.
And this week Sarah Soyei, regional manager for the Show Racism The Red Card campaign, claimed that many cases could go unreported.
She said: “Racist incidents are vastly under reported as people don’t feel confident that their complaint will be dealt with seriously.
“Racism from the police is particularly damaging in this respect.
“It is important that everyone, particularly those working in public service, receives education so that they are aware of the damage that racist attitudes and behaviours can cause and that appropriate steps are taken when incidents occur and it is vital that the Bedfordshire police force creates a climate where people feel able to report racism and know that action will be taken.”
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police said: “We take any report of racism involving our officers extremely seriously and will fully investigate claims.”
He added: “Out of the 57 claims, which is a relatively small number, 51 of those related to an email that was circulated several years ago.
“Anyone who received that email and failed to take appropriate action was dealt with by way of disciplinary action.”
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Monday 28 May 2012
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