White police chief in his fifties who axed male choir says: I don’t want to be represented by old, white men
A CHIEF constable who axed his force’s male voice choir claims he did so because he does not want to be represented by a group of old, white men.
Peter Goodman, who is white and in his 50s, was facing calls to stand down last night over his comments.
He said he could no longer support the Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir because its membership is almost entirely male and so is at odds with the force’s position as an ‘equal opportunities employer’.
The decision – and his comments about the make-up of the choir – brought a barrage of criticism.
He was accused of arrogance, of adding insult to injury and damaging the image of the police. One critic called
‘Unbelievably arrogant’
him a pillock. The choir, which has raised more than £750,000 for charity since it was set up in 1956, will now be known as Derbyshire Community Male Voice Choir.
Its members were left shocked and saddened by the change, which also drew criticism from women’s groups and a local MP. Mr Goodman, who became chief constable in the summer, was forced to defend his stance during a live Facebook question and answer session on Thursday.
The event was to allow residents to raise concerns about crime, but Mr Goodman faced a salvo of questions about the choir. ‘I have to say the Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir is way down my list of priorities,’ he said.
‘I want them to look and feel like the force we want to be, and frankly, a lot of quite old white men singing… is not the kind of impression I want to create.’
Kevin Griffiths, chairman of the choir, which has 35 members, said: ‘If we don’t represent the police force, we certainly do represent a large proportion of the constituency he serves.’
Barry Toseland wrote on Facebook: ‘ Why doesn’t he step down because he’s middle-aged and white and the public face of the Derbyshire Constabulary… if he is that concerned?’
Adrian Gill added: ‘He says the choir was “well down the list of my priorities”. So why not just leave well alone? No wonder crime is on the up with pillocks like this in charge.’ And Richard Smith said: ‘ What unbelievably arrogant comments. The choir has raised thousands for charity and for Mr Goodman to dismiss the members as a “load of white old men” beggars belief.
‘Mr Goodman’s comments here are adding insult to injury – it seems he has been stung by the criticism he has rightly received. Here is some advice – when in a hole, stop digging.’
Another Facebook post said: ‘What’s wrong with older white men, they built the country along with everyone else. I’m a middle class Asian- descent man, why is that different? The chief has not helped the image of this police force one bit.’
The choir was set up in 1956 after a request by Chief Constable Colonel Horatio Rawlings.
It has since performed in city venues and cathedrals. In 2016 it was awarded the Chief Constable’s Commendation by the then chief, Mick Creedon.
It is now made up of civilians but is closely linked to the force and members wear police tunics for performances.
They sing at police events, have their own section on the force website and rehearsed at a police station but will now need a new venue.
In September last year, Mr Goodman suggested the choir recruit women. But Mr Griffiths said it would be too difficult to try to find enough female singers. He also pointed out the uniqueness of a ‘male voice’ choir which performs music arranged for male voices.
As a result, the Chief Constable gave notice last month that it could no longer use Derbyshire Constabulary in its name and asked the choir to disassociate itself from his force.