4 days ago
PSNI to encourage more applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds and set up anti-racist service
The PSNI has acknowledged the hurt caused to ethnic minorities by past police failings, including the handling of local Black Lives Matter protests.
It comes as the force unveiled a new five-year racism and ethnicity action plan in the wake of recent racist violence in Northern Ireland.
The new plan seeks to create an 'anti-racist police service', rebuild trust with communities following what they have called 'historical injustices', and increase the representation of ethnic minorities within the police force.
In June, disorder in Ballymena was described by a senior PSNI officer as "racist thuggery, pure and simple'.
Meanwhile last August, 349 race-related incidents were recorded by police, twice the previous monthly high, and those are just the ones reported.
Many of these incidents happened in south Belfast, Northern Ireland's most multicultural constituency.
Local community activist Takura Makoni has been the victim of racist graffiti, death threats and more; nobody has been convicted to date.
He said: "Are we safe when we call the police? Do they respond? After they respond, do they follow up? Do they make us feel that they are concerned about what happened to us?
"These are the concerns anybody has. It's not about whether you're a migrant. Nobody is looking for special attention from the police.
"Everybody wants a serviceable police force that is considerate to victims of crimes that is supportive to victims of crimes that is working to prevent crimes with the community that is engaging with the community.
"That's what everybody wants."
