NCJ Number
80227
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1981) Pages: 341-346
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses relations between the police and minority groups in Great Britain and efforts to reduce racial tension.
Abstract
Housing and employment discrimination against minority races in Britain remains a significant problem. Moreover relations between the police and ethnic minorities, especially young men of West Indian origin, appear to be deteriorating. To remedy this situation, efforts are needed to eradicate police racial discrimination by screening out police applicants who evidence strong racial prejudice and by training officers to follow departmental nondiscriminatory policies toward all citizens. Further, implementation of nondiscriminatory police policy should be monitored to ensure that it is being implemented. One approach that has shown promise in reducing tension between police and racial minorities involves holding meetings between small groups of constables and young blacks. Also advocated by police senior officers is the establishment of local police liaison committees, where police officers and members of community relations councils can discuss the issues and problems of policing the area. Should these efforts succeed in significantly reducing mistrust between the police and racial minorities, this may help to increase the number of minority police applicants, a trend which could do much to improve relations between police and members of minority groups.