Recruiting ethnic minorities into police and prison services

Working towards higher levels of recruitment, retention and promotion of police and prison officer from ethnic minorities.

The police service is a visible and influential public service which needs to promote the support and active participation of all sections of the community. Fair and non-discriminatory treatment of all staff and members of the public is vital if the service is to retain the trust and confidence of the public in its professionalism and integrity.

During the 1990's the United Kingdom Home Office set up a series of meetings between representatives from the Black Police Officers Associations and the Home Office to work towards the promotion of race relations and equality of opportunity within the police service. Among other measures under consideration is the setting of targets for increasing the recruitment, retention and promotion of minority ethnic officers.