The issues that the Carol Howard case have raised will continue to plague the Met and Policing nationally until the powers that be grip the direct and indirect problems that impact on Race. Diversity is being eroded with the onset of austerity. Now is not the time to mainstream Race and Diversity as to do so results in loss of impetus and forward advancement. It implies that the organisation has got it right however the judgment from the Howard case in 2014 shows that the Met police got it completely wrong.
The phrase unconscious bias is the Mets way of addressing the issues of discrimanation within the service. It has now become the polite buzz word to gloss over what has always been, and still remains, as nothing more than institutional racism. Janet Hills, the Met BPA Chair stated “ The time for politeness has gone, what we need now is real action. Unconscious bias allows the organisation to hide behind the issues instead of taking bold steps to eradicate them. What is needed is a long term strategy that deals with Race equality so that regardless of which government, which Mayor, which Commissioner is in power the issues of race stay firmly on the policing agenda. London deserves a world class police service that recognizes the talent from within all communities”
The Equality & Human Rights Commission investigation into the unlawful act that has now led to Carol Howard resigning from the Met, is a legacy that will hopefully see a step change into the processes and practices of the organisation. For any real change to come about there needs to be an acceptance of the problem and honest conversations to deal with the issues. There must also be greater accountability levelled at those found to have discriminated against individuals on the basis of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability ”
MetBPA Chair stated, “ I welcome the EHRC investigation and the ACAS intervention looking into the fairness at work process. The Executive and I will continue to work with the Commissioner, the Deputy Mayor and other key stakeholders. The Howard case shows us all that until the lived experience of BAME personnel and communities is truly reflected in the Met’s policy and practices, they will continue to fail”.