Mayor Boris Johnson to review Met Police anti-racism measures

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has ordered a review of anti-racism reforms within the Metropolitan Police.

It will look at measures put in place as a result of the Race and Faith Inquiry set up by the mayor in 2008.

Changes under scrutiny include opening top positions to people of diverse backgrounds even when they have not worked as constables.

The review, to be led by Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, will report back in the autumn.

It will also consider a recommendation made by the original inquiry that said it should be easier for members of the force to apply for internal promotions and transfers.

'Fresh' approach

The mayor has admitted more needs to be done to increase recruitment of police officers from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

The Race and Faith Inquiry report, commissioned in October 2008, but delayed by 10 months and published in July 2010, said the Met needed a "fresh and energetic" approach to making the principles of equality, diversity and human rights a practical reality.

It made nine recommendations including "multi-point entry" so people can join at different ranks.

Mr Johnson said: "I think progress has been made but there's more to do," he said.

"We need to go much further and be recruiting from communities across London.

"We need to show we're on the front foot and make sure this force reflects London."

Latest figures show 10% of Met officers are of black or ethnic minority origin, compared with 40% of London's population being from these groups.

Stamp out racism

Meanwhile, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed it had received 51 racism complaints about the Met since April.

Mr Johnson said he wanted the Met to "build better relations with the communities it serves".

He said: "We are committed to driving forward the changes needed to ensure the Met provides an excellent level of service to the entire community."

Mr Hogan-Howe said the force was committed to stamping out discrimination.

He said: "I have made it clear that I will not tolerate racism within the MPS and we will deal with it robustly wherever it occurs."

Joanne McCartney, Labour's police and crime spokesperson on the London Assembly, said: "We welcome all efforts to counter racism and prejudice.

"However, it is disappointing that Boris Johnson hasn't fully implemented his original Race and Faith Inquiry that he commissioned four years ago."

She added: "There seems to be a minority of officers who think racist views are acceptable."