Federation response to the report 'Police and Racism, ten years on from the Macpherson Inquiry'

12 January 2009

  

Responding to the ECHR Commission Report, Police and Racism, ten years on from the Macpherson Inquiry, Simon Reed, Vice-Chairman, Police Federation of England and Wales, says:

“It is all too easy to focus on the negative headlines and ignore the many positive steps forces have taken over the last ten years since the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. The report for example notes significant improvement in reporting, recruitment and training and highlights that figures show a significant drop in racist incidents occurring and an improved confidence by the public in reporting race related crimes.

“This should rightly not detract from the need for continued improvement, particularly in the specialist areas highlighted in the report. This must happen to ensure all officers of all backgrounds maintain confidence in the system and to ensure continued reliance by the public in the police to deal with their case without prejudice.”