HL Deb 07 January 2004 vol 657 cc45-6WA
Lord Ouseley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they will take to enable police constabularies and authorities to take effective disciplinary action against officers engaged in racist behaviour. [HL466]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Such measures are already in place. All police officers, regardless of rank, are subject to a code of conduct (set out in the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999) that outlines the principles that should guide their behaviour. The code makes it clear that officers should behave with honesty and integrity as well as being fair and impartial in their conduct. Officers must avoid all forms of harassment, abusive behaviour, victimisation or unreasonable discrimination. Whether on or off duty, police officers should not behave in a way that is likely to bring discredit upon the police service. Any breach of the principles in the code of conduct may result in an officer facing misconduct proceedings under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999 or the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1999, which, in the most serious cases, could involve dismissal.

These regulations are subject to constant and ongoing review.

Lord Ouseley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied with the powers available to chief constables to eliminate racist behaviour among police officers.[HL468]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The Government believe that chief officers do have the necessary powers to eliminate racist behaviour among police officers.

There are procedures under the Police Act 1996 and the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999 to deal with conduct that falls below the required standard. These procedures can be invoked by way of a complaint from a member of the public or a report or allegation from any other person. This includes any complaint or allegation of racial discrimination or attitudes. Additionally, the Police Reform Act 2002 introduces a new complaints system to come into force on 1 April 2004, under which serious racial discrimination is a category of a complaint that must be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which will decide how such a complaint will be dealt with.

A new recruitment process has also been introduced. These processes are already in place in 13 forces and are being phased in across the remainder of the service. Candidates' attitudes towards race and diversity are tested at least seven times across all exercises in the new assessment centre, including at interview. Those who do not meet the standard are not recruited, regardless of performance elsewhere in the assessments.

The Government are committed to increasing trust and confidence in policing among all sections of the community. This involves community relations training across the police service, continuing work on implementing recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry—a key area of which is stop and search, and the handling of racist incidents all aimed to increase trust and confidence among minority ethnic communities.

The Government are not complacent, however, and will consider any further measures that might be needed to eliminate incidents of racist behaviour among police officers.