Police
who are guilty of racism will not necessarily be sacked – in contravention with
a key recommendation of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
The
Police Complaints Authority (PCA) launched a new guidance document
‘Investigating allegations of racially discriminatory behaviour’ today, which
rejects automatic dismissal as too ‘one size fits all’.
PCA
chairman Sir Alistair Graham said racially discriminatory behaviour was
unacceptable and police forces were committed to rigorous investigation of
accusations of discrimination.
"These
guidelines have been developed together with experienced officers from
professional standards departments and expert independent consultants with the
intention that they should provide a sensible approach to the development of
good practice," he said.
Of
258 allegations of race discrimination reported to the PCA in 2001-2002, 242
were found to be unsubstantiated.
