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Met chief Mark Rowley vows to press ahead with black and Asian recruitment drive despite 'culture wars' toxicity

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner who says minority ethnic Londoners make up 46% of the capital's population but only 18% of Met officers.
Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner who says minority ethnic Londoners make up 46% of the capital's population but only 18% of Met officers.
New Met constables earn more than £43,000 and can study for a fully funded degree, Sir Mark Rowley says, framing the recruitment drive as pursuit of the "widest and strongest possible pool of talent.
New Met constables earn more than £43,000 and can study for a fully funded degree, Sir Mark Rowley says, framing the recruitment drive as pursuit of the "widest and strongest possible pool of talent.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has unveiled a major recruitment drive and said he will not be deterred by critics who argue that diversity initiatives undermine policing standards. He points out that while minority ethnic Londoners make up 46% of the capital's population, only 18% of Met officers reflect that, making broader recruitment an operational imperative. Rowley described inclusion as "an operational necessity" rather than a political stance, and accused fellow leaders of "running away" from the DEI debate.

Rowley writes that the Met 'cannot be effective if large sections of society do not trust us' or see policing as understanding their lives.

New constables enter on a salary exceeding £43,000, and can study for a fully funded degree through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship scheme.

Rowley firmly dismissed suggestions that bringing in more Black and Asian officers means 'lowering standards', branding the charge false and describing the drive as a pursuit of the 'widest and strongest possible pool of talent'.

MoreThe GuardianMet chief says ‘toxicity’ around DEI will not stop him recruiting more black and Asian officerspersonneltoday.comMet commissioner vows to keep recruiting inclusivelyThe GuardianI will have more police officers of colour in the UK capital – and the culture wars won’t stop me doing itGB NewsMetropolitan Police chief accuses DEI opponents of fuelling 'toxicity' as he launches minority hiring spree - GB Newspolice.uk“We’ve accepted the challenge – will you?”
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