Dorset Police Chief Constable acknowledges "institutional racism" in the force
Chief Constable Amanda Pearson wrote an open letter to black communities
A senior member of Dorset Police has issued an apology to the county's black communities acknowledging institutional racism within the force.
Chief Constable Amanda Pearson has written an open letter to communities that she says are "over-policed, under-protected and under-represented".
In it, she says that black people have told her and the force "for far too long we have not been getting this right" when it comes to policing.
She also wrote she is "writing to acknowledge institutional racism within our organisation" - although she does not believe the majority of staff or officers are "overtly or intentionally racist".
She said black people in Dorset were "over-policed, under-protected and under-represented" and revealed plans to launch a 'Dorset Police Race Action Plan'.
They were more likely to be stopped and searched, arrested and handcuffed than the rest of the county population, the plan said.
Ms Pearson added: "Trauma and harm has been and continues to be caused to black people and communities as a consequence.
"I therefore am writing to acknowledge institutional racism within our organisation."
She also admits that there's a "long way to go" and that change will "take time".
But she added something must be done to address the concerns.