Derbyshire Police lacks ethnic diversity compared to population

Derbyshire Constabulary has a disproportionately low number of black and ethnic minority (BME) officers and only one senior BME officer.
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New Home Office figures show that in March this year, the equivalent of 60 full time BME officers were employed by the force – 47 men and 13 women. The highest rank attained was chief superintendent.

They make up 3.5 per cent of the total number of police officers.

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BME people make up 6.7 per cent of Derbyshire’s total population, which is more than the proportion of BME officers.

Derbyshire has only one senior BME officer. Photo: Nick Ansell/PADerbyshire has only one senior BME officer. Photo: Nick Ansell/PA
Derbyshire has only one senior BME officer. Photo: Nick Ansell/PA

The Lammy Review, an investigation by MP David Lammy into the treatment of BME people in the criminal justice system, found that black and ethnic minority people often do not like engaging with the police as they do not feel represented.

The review says that increasing the visibility of BME people within policing is fundamental to ensuring justice

Ian Saunders, chairman of the Police Federation’s equality sub-committee said: “It is vital that the police service reflects the communities we serve to ensure we are able to police as effectively as possible.

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“The Police Federation supports efforts to increase diversity, raise awareness and promote best practice about the issue.

“And we recognise that although there may be barriers to recruiting officers from BME backgrounds, more must be done to attract but also retain these officers and to positively support their career development to ensure that we are a service that is truly reflective of our communities.”

Across England and Wales, police forces have a disproportionate number of white officers.

More diverse parts of the country have fewer BME officers compared with the size of the black and ethnic minority population.

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The Home Office data shows that out of Derbyshire Constabulary’s full time BME officers, 16 are mixed race. There are four black officers and 37 are Asian. The rest are from other ethnic minorities.

The figures show that the force is getting less representative.

There were two per cent fewer BME officers employed this year, compared with March 2017.