Regional Mayor backs Avon and Somerset Police boss over "institutional racism" claim
Dan Norris says he "completely backs" the Chief Constable after she called her own force institutionally racist
The West of England Mayor has given his backing to the head of Avon and Somerset Police, after she called her own force institutionally racist.
Chief Constable (CC) Sarah Crew made the comment in a long statement published on Friday, in which she said she had "no doubt" about it.
It sparked some criticism from her own officers, with the chair of the Avon and Somerset Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, saying it would make their jobs harder.
Mark Loker told Hits Radio that it would "breed fear" among officers who will now be concerned about being branded personally racist.
But despite those views, Dan Norris, who as West of England Mayor represents Bristol, Bath, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire, says CC Crew has his support.
He said: "The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police is absolutely right to be open and to encourage discussion and debate about these important issues.
"There can be no place for racism or sexism or homophobia in the police or anywhere else for that matter and British police depends totally on trust and consent from the public.
"So I welcome this discussion and debate."
Norris, who represents Labour, then took aim at the Conservative government, at least partially blaming them for the current state of policing.
"For 13 years there's been a real absence of leadership from the Home Office I'm afraid, which has seen Britain's policing fall far below the standards, way below the standards the public have a right to expect.
"It's important to support those police officers that do the right thing.
"So I completely back the Chief Constable."
In response a Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Secretary has been clear that culture and standards in the police need to change and must come from the top.
"That is why we have prioritised the reform of police senior leadership development as well as rolling out national standards for leadership at all ranks.
“The policing culture, including allegations of racism, has rightly come under scrutiny and this behaviour should not be tolerated.
"All officers and members of the public must be treated fairly and without prejudice, no matter their race or background.”
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