Metropolitan Police Authority welcomes Race and Faith Inquiry emerging findings

61/09
23 September 2009

Responding to the MPA’s Race and Faith Inquiry emerging findings Kit Malthouse, Vice Chair of the MPA said:

“We thank the Panel for its constructive and encouraging emerging findings and welcome the identification of areas where joint working can lead to even more improvement.

“We look forward to the final report but in the meantime we will continue to build on the successful initiatives identified by the Panel as already in place and  will work determinedly with the Met to continue to improve  equality and diversity issues within the service.

“The panel acknowledges the MPS' and MPA's rigorous co-operation with the Inquiry and the firm commitment of both organisations to the importance of getting Equalities and Diversity issues right.“

The Race and Faith Inquiry Panel, established by Mayor Boris Johnson,  found that over the last ten years since the Stephen Lawrence report the Met, supported by the Authority, has made significant progress in making sure the Met' workforce is more representative of all Londoners.

The MPA in particular has played a pivotal role in implementing the recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence report.

The panel acknowledged the hard work and success of the Met in this area and highlighted the following initiatives for commendation

• rise in BME PCSO recruitment;
• innovative recruitment methods such as those used in Operation Trident; and
• the adjustments made to welcome and accommodate various faiths, for example adjustments to uniform, inclusion of certain dietary needs and facilities for prayer rooms.

In conclusion the Panel recognises that it is imperative that the Met and the MPA meet the 'post-Lawrence era' challenge with urgency in order that the gains of the past are not lost, and congratulated the leadership of the MPA in establishing the Inquiry to promote renewed impetus in this important area of work.

Notes to Editors

The emerging findings can be found at: www.mpa.gov.uk/scrutinies/race-faith/emergingfindings

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