Here is an article from police oracle that Janet Hills was featured in. If you have a subscription log in on the link below. policeoracle/news/Diversity-Vetting-could-be-changed-for-Met-recruits_83490.html Diversity: Vetting could be changed for Met recruits Alterations needed for citys unique situation, committee hears Applicants to the Metropolitan Police could be vetted and tested differently from those in other parts of the country in a bid to increase the number of recruits from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. The issues were discussed at the London Assemblys Police and Crime Committee which met to discuss diversity in the force. The Committee heard that it would take more than 50 years for BME communities to be proportionally represented in the Met at current rates of change. Among the ways in which this can be overcome were tweaks to the vetting and testing process, it was suggested. Janet Hills, Chair of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, suggested that ordinary vetting procedures are not working in London. She said that some would-be recruits are being frustrated by going through the process and then finding themselves rejected at the vetting stage. In London with close knit communities the data says youre going to be in contact with someone who has had trouble with police, she said. Robin Wilkinson, the services Director of Human Resources, said that vetting, when it came to borderline cases, for example shoplifting at a young age, may be subject to a more nuanced view. He added: In London theres a lot of people coming to us that are more likely to have been stopped and searched. Mr Wilkinson also said that the force wanted to make allowances in policing tests in London too. He said: The broad picture of which were taking forward to the College of Policing is that London is a particular policing case. Nine spelling or grammar errors in assessment means you will not meet the standard at the moment. Being able to communicate in writing is important, we need evidence to be recorded in court well, but we will give them that training. Being able to interact with communities is more important. He added that the spelling and grammar standard would have to be met by the time training is completed. Helen Bailey, Chief Operating Officer at the Mayors Office for Policing and Crime, said: This is absolutely not about lowering standards, its about making sure weve got people to do the job.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 21:19:49 +0000
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