MP accuses BPA of stereotyping white officers

Conservative Party MP and special constable David Davies has criticised the Black Police Association (BPA) for being racist, lacking strong leadership and stereotyping white officers.

During a speech he gave at the recent National Black Police Association (NBPA) conference, Mr Davies said that white officers “do not trust the BPA” and that the organisation “should be about building trust and mutual respect between members of all races and religions”.

Although the BPA is open to white officers they are not entitled to full membership, which is reserved for “those of black Asian or Middle Eastern origin”. Mr Davies said that this was a shame and was “explicitly racist” in barring membership from white individuals and “implicitly racist” in its suggestions that white people care less about racism than people of ethnic minorities.

“The BPA doesn’t appreciate just how strongly white officers feel about stamping out the small minority of individuals who let down the force and therefore its policy of not letting white people join is divisive. It is racist to say that one ethnic group can’t join,” Mr Davies said.

He also expressed disappointment in the BPA’s recent action to discourage ethnic minorities from applying for positions within the Metropolitan Police Service.

“The policy of discouraging black and Asian individuals from joining the police in London is totally unacceptable,” he said. “We need more black and Asian police officers and the BPA should be encouraging them to join.

“In deciding to actively discourage members of ethnic minorities from joining the Met the BPA has become the only publicly funded organisation to say that the police should be for white people only.”

The Met BPA said black and minority ethnic individuals “should not” join the force and instead consider seeking employment in other forces.

A spokesperson for the NBPA said: “The NBPA is working towards increasing representation of BME officers and staff within the police service. The issues within the Met are unique and do not reflect the association’s national position. We are in dialogue with the Met’s BPA and continue to support Met BPA members who are suffering discrimination.”

Mr Davies went on to draw attention to incidents in which white officers had been discriminated against, and suggested that ethnic minorities were too quick to blame discrimination for being denied a promotion.

“I think it would be much appreciated if occasionally the BPA acknowledged that a large majority of white officers are doing everything they can to tackle racism. In at least one instance an employment tribunal has found that white officers were discriminated against.

“It is human nature that if we are denied a promotion we find it easier to convince ourselves and others that race, religion, sex or sexual orientation is to blame, rather than our own abilities.”

Mr Davies proposed a number of changes for the BPA to consider, including encouraging all officers of all ethnic backgrounds to reach their full potential and ensure their talents are recognised. He said the BPA should work towards building trust between officers of all races and religions.

Mr Davies is also a special constable for British Transport Police (BTP) where he said he has seen first hand occasions of racism within the force.

“When I put on that uniform I’m not a Christian, I’m not a Muslim, I’m not black, white or anything. I’m a police officer first and foremost and I think that ought to be the attitude of everyone who puts on that uniform,” he said.

Vinny Tomlinson, chair of the Merseyside BPA, said he admired Mr Davies’ honesty for voicing his opinion, but said that much of the speech he delivered was “a litany of immaturity and ignorance”.

Mr Tomlinson said Mr Davies did not understand racism in the way it presents itself, how it manifests itself and what it’s like to be on the receiving end of it.

He highlighted the fact that 40 per cent of the Merseyside BPA