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Pride and Prejudice: A Review of police Race Relations in Scotland
Conclusion
8.1 HMIC found the Scottish Police Service to have been as active in developing race relations as in any other aspect of its work in the past few years, if not more so. The challenges thrown up by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry have all been taken on. Many of the issues have been substantially progressed, such as robust recording mechanisms for racist incidents, consulting with communities and ensuring staff are properly trained in issues of race and diversity. Others have been achieved in part and require further commitment to make them happen in full, such as a healthier recruitment profile and a positive staff environment on race issues.
8.2 Significantly, all these challenges, even when fully met, will require lasting commitment and energy to ensure they are sustained and effective over a long period of time.
8.3 Throughout the inspection, HMIC was keen to explore whether police race relations had improved from the point of view of the community. Consequently this point was taken up at the many community meetings and interviews which HMIC undertook. The issue quickly became condensed to the single question 'Are things better?'. Wherever and of whomever this was asked in Scotland, the answer to the question, to varying degrees of qualification, was always ' Yes'.
8.4 There was one response received during a discussion on police race relations at a UK level, which argued that the question above was fatuous. It was contended that the word 'better' was only relevant to those people who are interested in history lessons and that issues affecting people in Scotland, particularly relating to race and racism, are about the here and now. The point was well made that daily racist abuse is daily racist abuse, and whether or not the police are proud of themselves on progress achieved over the past few years is of little importance.
8.5 But the strongest message that HMIC would wish to make from this report is that police race relations are dynamic. Things have moved on considerably over the past few years and major new issues for Scotland have emerged, most notably those of community cohesion, international events and asylum seekers. The challenges of yesterday are not the same as the challenges of today or the challenges of tomorrow.
8.6 Chief constables now need to consolidate on progress and look to the future to ensure Scotland remains a peaceful, fair and integrated community. Sound race relations have been a policing priority and must continue to be so. The Scottish Police Service should take a correct sense of pride in areas where achievements have been made and work towards a plural and cohesive community where prejudice is not tolerated.
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