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Politically correct police force hiring officers 'who can't do the job'
Last updated at 16:22pm on 13.04.07
Steve Roberts said a 'whole cohort' of inadequate officers were coming into the London force
One of the country's most senior policemen has admitted his force is recruiting unsuitable officers in its drive to be politically correct.
Dyslexics, the physically disabled and those with religious beliefs which affect their work are apparently being given jobs - even though they are unable to fulfil their role.
Steve Roberts, a deputy assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard, said there was a 'whole cohort' of inadequate officers coming into the London force because the force had 'shied away' from tackling the issue.
His comments in the magazine Police Review follow a series of embarrassments for the Metropolitan Police in recent months.
PC Alexander Omar Basha, a Muslim officer, provoked a political storm last year when he was excused from guarding the Israeli embassy on 'moral grounds' after he expressed concerns over the bombing of Lebanon.
In another incident, a female Muslim officer refused to shake the hand of Commissioner Sir Ian Blair at her passing out ceremony.
Other cases include a Seventh Day Adventist officer who wanted to take the Sabbath off, an orthodox Jewish officer who wanted Fridays off and a number of men or women with severe dyslexia.
Mr Roberts said the Met was 'letting its managers down' by failing to issue clear policy on recruitment.
He said: "What is really comes down to is that it does not matter what it is that causes you to be incapable of fulfilling the full duties of an ordinary officer.
"It does not matter if it is because you have a physical disability, dyslexia or a particular requirement which means you have to have every Sunday off - unless you are able to fulfil the duties of a constable, we should not be allowing you to think you can join in the first place.
"And we should not, if that arises after joining, be saying you can make a good and efficient officer at the end of the probationary stage.
"We have let our managers down in not making it as clear as we should do what our attitude to difference is and what we expect of them [in order to] give them the confidence to deal with people genuinely fairly."
Mr Roberts said that the force was still able to adapt to an officer's specialist requirements. He added: "For example, there was never actually a problem with the young female officer who did not want to shake the commissioner's hand.
"She simply said, quite reasonably, 'Actually, I would prefer not to'.
"Supposing it had been the case that normally the Commissioner kissed on the cheek every new recruit who came up to meet him and someone said 'I would rather he did not do that to me', we would not think that was a big deal.
"We can adapt on those things that do fit in with being a constable and fulfilling the full range of duties but certain factors are not a condition of someone becoming a police officer, it is simply what a good employer does."
Mr Roberts, who is deputy head of human resources at the Met continued: "This is not moving away from diversity and saying it does not matter any more.
"But it is about setting proper limits to make sure we do manage it properly, without ever losing sight of the main point of delivering the right service.
"Getting a diverse workforce is not a nice, optional thing. It is what we have got to do in order to be properly representative of London."
Reader views (10)
Oh dear, and they wonder why people dont have confidence in the Police!
- Stuart, Dunstable UK
What we need is more Gene Hunts on the beat and not a load of political weasels trying to further their career by sitting around tables on their overpaid backsides. The cops need to be tough and hard to deal with the dregs of society that we have all helped to spawn. Put coppers back on the beat and give them the backing they deserve and not the useless politicians and inept judges that are in power. Also start to employ some big blokes who can actually put the fear of god into the villains out on the street. It seems the police even have to inform the local community officials before they do a raid on premises that might be politically sensitive. Let's get back to a police force that can actually carry out its duty without having to be careful on whose toes they tread on.
- Stephen D., London, England
Well, England, you have made your politically correct bed, now lie in it.
- C, Cuffley, UK
Surely everyone is entitled to one day a week off for religious (or other) reasons? And surely it's a positive advantage if not everone in the police force demands that it's Sunday, since I'm quite certain that criminals don't take Sundays off!
- Nigel, London
Whilst I agree the police service should be as diverse as possible the job, of necessity, requires police officers to work every day of the year. As the wife of an officer who served 30 years I know he only had one weekend off in four. If certain officers do not work weekends because of their beliefs who is going to cover their duties? Regardless of race, nationality, religion or anything else if you are not prepared to do what is required you shouldn't join the job!
- Jane, London
Political correctness works in both directions. The police force should be pleased to have a moral and conscientious Jewish or Seventh-day Adventist officer who wants to make a positive difference in society as a policeman but who also has religious convictions. All police are entitled to time off and Adventist officers I have spoken with in the past have usually been able to arrange their off-duty to coincide with their day of worship. Of course, any officer would respond to an emergency such as 7/7 whatever the day of the week but it would seem detrimental to exclude good people from the police simply because of their religious beliefs. Surely the police - and the community - want officers with a positive value system.
- Victor Hulbert, Bracknell, England
Dear Mr Roberts,
You yourself seem to be rather politically correct as it seems are all of Scotland Yard's top mangers. Mostly speakers not doers. The most important objective should be to attract the best for the job which, just in case you do not know, is the protection of the public, not filling out forms. Diversity seems to be all politically correct police officer's mantra, yet the necessities of police service mean that all types of people have to be hired to suit differing situations and to effect the protection of the public.
It happens naturally without social engineering, Sir.
- Minnie Ovens, Los Angeles
Nobody should be recruited to the Police Service if they are not prepared to do the JOB, we should demand that all officiers are capable of fulfilling all aspects of the job.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford
Are we to be surprised by these comments? It has been blindingly obvious for years that in a quest to be PC the Met have been recruiting anyone who can fill out the application form correctly in an attempt to hit targets. Whether they are suitable or indeed capable of doing the job seems to be an afterthought. What ever happened to the best candidate getting the job?
- Steve, London
He has a valid point, perhaps they should also stop worrying about the human rights of criminals too and maybe even get out from behind the desk and actaully be visible on the streets, it's a shocking concept but it might even stop some crime.
- Trevor Roll, London
