Police forces in Wales failing to reflect the ethnic minority communities they serve

ETHNIC minorities are significantly under-represented in Welsh police forces, figures have revealed.

South Wales Police has been identified as the worst offending force.

Within the area it serves, 6.6% of the population is Black and Minority Ethnic (BME), yet only 1.9% of South Wales Police officers identify themselves as having an ethnic minority background.

Figures for the whole of Wales also reveal an underlying shortage of black officers being promoted to senior positions.

Of the four police forces in Wales, two, Dyfed-Powys and Gwent, have no BME officers above the rank of sergeant.

Similarly, North Wales Police has one officer above constable while South Wales employs three.

Welsh charity Diverse Cymru said it was “vitally important for all organisations to reflect and be sensitive to the needs of the communities that they serve”.

A spokesman for the campaign group said: “This is fundamental to Police force Dyfed-Powys Gwent North Wales South Wales Total male ranks 7 16 10 40 Total female ranks 2 3 2 16 what makes a safe, strong and prosperous community.

“It is unfortunate that Welsh police forces have fallen below this level, but we are aware of, and support, the proactive work they are carrying out to improve this.

“Nonetheless, without strong role models it will remain difficult to recruit police officers from ethnic minority backgrounds.”

The spokesman added: “Diverse Cymru believe that further positive action must be taken to encourage people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities to see the potential in a career with the police.”

The College of Policing currently Proportion of BME Officers 0.8 1.7 0.8 1.9 Proportion of BME Population 2 3.9 2.5 6.6 runs a BME Progression Program in order to increase progression and retention of BME officers.

Superintendent Manjit Thandi from the college said: “We want police forces to be representative of the communities they serve so the College of Policing is continuing to develop a national programme to improve the recruitment, development, progression and retention of black and minority ethnic (BME) officers and staff.

“The BME Programme, which was launched in 2013, is working on several initiatives, including providing police forces with a template to guide the development of their ac- tion plan to improve overall BME representation and progression.

“The College of Policing is continuing to support forces by sharing best practice and ideas from around the country to develop a more diverse and inclusive workforce to meet the demands of a changing population.”

Female BME officers are in particularly short supply in Welsh forces.

North Wales, Dyfed-Powys and Gwent Police have no female BME officers above the lowest rank of constable and in total have just seven females officers from BME backgrounds.

Samantha Roberts, Wales spokesperson for the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “We acknowledge that BME make-up of Welsh forces should be higher and more reflective of the communities that they serve.

“This is important so that we can continue to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of people.”