Gypsies and travellers are being recruited by Kent Police to ensure the force best represents the community it serves.
Officers believe that by giving jobs to people from the minority group they will be able to smooth what is often a rocky relationship between the two sides.
However, some are concerned the ‘tick-box’ targets could lower standards if vacancies are given to gypsies and travellers rather than the best candidates.
Earlier this year a report by the Association of Police Authorities (APA) suggested all forces should seek to recruit from under-represented groups.
Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas said this was something Kent Police fully supported.
He said: “We seek to recruit staff from as wide a background as possible and we welcome applicants from all ethnic backgrounds.
“To support us in this we have a Gipsy and Traveller Action Group, the members of which advise us on issues and who provide support in the recruitment of new personnel and the progression of existing personnel.
“We believe recruiting officers from a variety of ethnic groups enhances the legitimacy of policing in the eyes of those minority communities.”
The initiative has been backed by campaigners for travellers’ equality, including the Canterbury Gipsy Support Group, which provides diversity training to Kent Police.
Vice-chairman Joe Jones said it was important his people were given the same career opportunities as others, but admitted he did not think there would be a mad rush to sign up.
He said: “Gypsies and travellers are far from being policed in the real sense. The only time we meet is when our camps are being raided or when we are being made to move on.
“We are the most misunderstood group of people in the British Isles and nobody really cares about us, but by the police looking to recruit us it shows that we have finally arrived in society.
“Over the years the police have acted as piggy-in-the-middle between us and various other authorities and there are a lot of issues that need to be overcome before gypsies and travellers really start to go for jobs in the force, but it’s obviously something we would like to see more of.”
The recommendation by the APA to recruit more gypsies and travellers has been ridiculed by the TaxPayers’ Alliance and the Campaign Against Political Correctness, both of whom fear standards of policing will go down if candidates are judged more on ethnic background than suitability for the job.
However, Kent Police Federation chairman Ian Pointon pointed out that all potential recruits have to pass the same entry exams to be considered for a job.
He said: “It could bring a better understanding of the ways and customs of travelling communities and help break down barriers between us.
“We’re all aware of notorious traveller sites but there are also ones many people don’t know exist that are peaceful and absolutely spotless, and where I’ve been able to sit down and have a nice cup of tea with the people who live there.
“As long as they meet the grade then I can see no reason why we shouldn’t seek to recruit more gypsies and travellers.”
POSTED: 19/07/2009 14:00:00
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