London Assembly member and police chief to speak at meeting (From Harrow Times)

Dal Babu has caused a bit of a storm with his assertion that the Metropolitan Police workforce should more closely reflect that of the communities it serves.
Are Inspector Babu's opinions his own or is he expressing the view of senior officers ?
Would ordinary rank and file officers be able to identify themselves as serving Police officers and express their own opinion on subjects such as this?
When did we require Police officers to become social commentators?

Forgive me for stating very humbly--- as a citizen of Harrow--- that during my close association with the MPS and its senior members at the Yard,I have heard this said over and over again.So there is no harm in Dal Babu saying what he has.Why are people getting so steamed up?

By the way,he is not an Inspector but the Chief Superintendent of Harrow and our present Borough Commander--the top cop in Harrow .

I am sure we would not wish to deny him the freedom of speech which we all enjoy and cherish so dearly.

In fact he is not making social comments.I have heard,over the past decade,many senior MPS officers state that it would be fairer to all Londoners if they could have a more representative Police service.

They would be delighted if they could successfully attract people from ALL communities.They regret the fact that their enrolment rate for ethnic groups has not been quick enough and only something like 6 to 8% of the work force is made up of BME groups.

They recognise the advantages of having a more balanced representation for Londoners.

Of course,the Metropolitan Police Service(MPS) works hard to attract the British Minority Ethnic(BME) groups and have enjoyed great success when enrolling officers for our Safer Neighbourhood Teams.That has done alot of good for our local citizens.

Even the Commissioner of the MPS, Bernard Hogan-Howe would like to see these changes incorporated,but regretfully recognises it will probably take a long time,in the real world.These are highly experienced,practica
l professionals so we must allow them the liberty to speak their minds.

Please let's stop splitting hairs and attacking folk for being open and honest.

Time to be more generous and rise above petty fault-finding.

I am all for people being open and honest,my concern revolved around whether Dal Babu was acting as a spokesperson for the Police or just expressing personal views.
Would a beat officer be permitted to identify themselves and state their views on BME recruitment and progression through the ranks in the same way as Chief Superintendent Babu,or is the opportunity restricted to a chosen few?
What changes exactly is it that Bernad Hogan -Howe wishes to see implemented and what is stopping him implementing them?
Certain groups have no interest in joining a public service in the same way that certain groups do not donate blood or register as organ donors,why should the MPS expend time and money trying to attract people to join them whilst there are thousands of people applying for the job?

Dear Methodman
I can only advise you to please read and see what the Met Police Service is trying to do to make theirs a service which is appropriate to the 21st Century,They want us to be world leaders and deliver the best policing service in the world.That requires constant reviewing and updating not only of process but also the staff representing them and the service delivered.

Most of us are used to the same old ways of operating but in such a fast-changing world we are often obliged to go with the flow merely to remain relevant and be on the button!It is a huge challenge having to ring in such changes and simultaneously keep the currently engaged work-force happy.

The MPS are spending tax-payer pounds on trying to attract people from all walks of life and open up opportunities as required as an equal opportunity employer.Some changes may be welcomed and others be very hard on serving officers.Very hard to get the balance right.

The MET would be severely criticised and perceived to be"institutionally racist"if they did not follow the laws of our country.

It is an onerous duty for all employers in every sector to make sure they are not only fair but seen to be fair.

I am sure you would not wish our senior officers in the MPS to come a cropper in conducting themselves in any way other than wholly appropriate. This would help them
win the respect and trust of all Londoners whom they serve so assiduously.

I am sure what you say holds more than a grain of truth and seems like common-sense but moving with the times has become totally essential if we are to attempt to fulfil the expectations of citizens today.

Bernard Hogan-Howe has clearly stated he favours recruitment of officers,without having to do two year son the beat.However,like the Home Secretary Teresa May,he does not wish the top job of the MPS Commissioner to be open to foreign nationals ---for obvious security purposes as happens in other sensitive posts too.

I humbly suggest you listen to his online web-chats and put a question to him live.He will give you a direct answer---it may or may not be what you wished to hear but it will be what he has in mind.

I recommend to all members of public to please go to the MPS web-site and learn as much as possible about what tthe MPS feels and plans to do.

Every Commissioner wishes to implement changes and put their stamp on the MPS.Very normal and natural.Of course,he/she is accountabe to the Home Secretary and also the Mayor of London,Boris Johnson.In all cases there is bound to be some difference of opinion on important issues but I am sure matters affecting our national security and day-to-day policing are chiefly the responsibility of this top cop!

Dal Babu is retiring this Monday and may have expressed his own views.He is entitled like anyone else to do so.

Many changes in policing are in the pipe-line and on the cards --this is no secret!Pleae either see the City Hall web-site Mayor of Londons Policing and Crime committee meetings or attend those which are open to the public(for observation only).

We,the public,wield a lot of power which needs to be handled very creatively and our participation can mean that we help shape the future of our policing as we would like it to be.Only when we take the time and trouble to do so,will we be able to stop what we dislike and put pressure on the powers that be to take on board our strong feelings about how policing in London is changing.I hope you will do your bit as an astute and caring Londoner.

I dearly hope this long reply will help shed some light on what is going on behind the scenes in London's policing.

My heart goes out to those who have lost out with some of these changes but I also appreciate sometimes one just has to take drastic steps to get things moving quickly.

Dear Methodman
I can only advise you to please read and see what the Met Police Service is trying to do to make theirs a service which is appropriate to the 21st Century,They want us to be world leaders and deliver the best policing service in the world.That requires constant reviewing and updating not only of process but also the staff representing them and the service delivered.

Most of us are used to the same old ways of operating but in such a fast-changing world we are often obliged to go with the flow merely to remain relevant and be on the button!It is a huge challenge having to ring in such changes and simultaneously keep the currently engaged work-force happy.

The MPS are spending tax-payer pounds on trying to attract people from all walks of life and open up opportunities as required as an equal opportunity employer.Some changes may be welcomed and others be very hard on serving officers.Very hard to get the balance right.

The MET would be severely criticised and perceived to be"institutionally racist"if they did not follow the laws of our country.

It is an onerous duty for all employers in every sector to make sure they are not only fair but seen to be fair.

I am sure you would not wish our senior officers in the MPS to come a cropper in conducting themselves in any way other than wholly appropriate. This would help them
win the respect and trust of all Londoners whom they serve so assiduously.

I am sure what you say holds more than a grain of truth and seems like common-sense but moving with the times has become totally essential if we are to attempt to fulfil the expectations of citizens today.

Bernard Hogan-Howe has clearly stated he favours recruitment of officers,without having to do two year son the beat.However,like the Home Secretary Teresa May,he does not wish the top job of the MPS Commissioner to be open to foreign nationals ---for obvious security purposes as happens in other sensitive posts too.

I humbly suggest you listen to his online web-chats and put a question to him live.He will give you a direct answer---it may or may not be what you wished to hear but it will be what he has in mind.

I recommend to all members of public to please go to the MPS web-site and learn as much as possible about what tthe MPS feels and plans to do.

Every Commissioner wishes to implement changes and put their stamp on the MPS.Very normal and natural.Of course,he/she is accountabe to the Home Secretary and also the Mayor of London,Boris Johnson.In all cases there is bound to be some difference of opinion on important issues but I am sure matters affecting our national security and day-to-day policing are chiefly the responsibility of this top cop!

Dal Babu is retiring this Monday and may have expressed his own views.He is entitled like anyone else to do so.

Many changes in policing are in the pipe-line and on the cards --this is no secret!Pleae either see the City Hall web-site Mayor of Londons Policing and Crime committee meetings or attend those which are open to the public(for observation only).

We,the public,wield a lot of power which needs to be handled very creatively and our participation can mean that we help shape the future of our policing as we would like it to be.Only when we take the time and trouble to do so,will we be able to stop what we dislike and put pressure on the powers that be to take on board our strong feelings about how policing in London is changing.I hope you will do your bit as an astute and caring Londoner.

I dearly hope this long reply will help shed some light on what is going on behind the scenes in London's policing.

My heart goes out to those who have lost out with some of these changes but I also appreciate sometimes one just has to take drastic steps to get things moving quickly.