Black Police Association Cymru Conference launchs today

Ten years since the Stephen Lawrence enquiry, the police in Wales mark the occasion by launching the ‘Black Police Association Cymru’ at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff today (Wednesday 14 October 2009).

Assistant Chief Constable David Morris of South Wales Police who represents Wales’ Policing for Race and Diversity, is the ACPO lead for Diversity Training and also the ACPO UK representation for the European Policing Diversity Training Group said,

“To mark the significant 10-year anniversary of the Stephen Lawrence enquiry, South Wales Police, North Wales Police, Gwent Police and Dyfed Powys Police together with their established Black Police Associations have joined forces to form the ‘Black Police Association Cymru’.

“This is being launched today during its first conference at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff which unites us together to learn from each other and set out our aims for future policing in Wales, which embraces diversity and equality for everyone.

“Today’s conference is also about recognising the progress made in the last ten years and to ensure the next decade meets the needs of the changing diverse communities in Wales.”

President of the ‘Black Police Association Cymru’ (BPA Cymru), Mr Roger Punnett said,

“Today is a proud moment for all Black and Minority Ethnic staff within the Welsh Police Forces. BPA Cymru reinforces our commitment to embrace and celebrate diversity and be a conduit to enhance recruitment, retention and progression of under-represented groups within the police service.

“BPA Cymru will play a pivotal role in the Trust and Confidence Agenda, as it narrows the gap between the community and the police.”

Also speaking at the conference is panel member of the Stephen Lawrence Enquiry Dr Richard Stone; Head of Professional Studies at the UK Holocaust Centre Mr Manoj Barot, President of USA National Black Police Association Mr John Hayes; Minister for Social Justice and Local Government for the Welsh Assembly Dr Brian Gibbons; and Chief Constable (Designate) of South Wales Police, Deputy Chief Constable Peter Vaughan.

A Live Steel Pan and Amas Drummer will also be providing that extra bit of entertainment to the day, at 9.30am and 12.25pm respectively.

Deputy Chief Constable Peter Vaughan of South Wales Police added,

“The Association will provide me, and other Chief Constables, with a useful barometer of what progress we are making with diversity, equality and human rights.

“To be successful we must provide a consistent service to our diverse communities; we need to deal with honour-based violence and we must prevent the spread of extremism within our communities.

“We must not be complacent; we must take positive action in the difficult and challenging times that we face in today’s society.

“The recruitment, retention and progression of Black and Minority Ethnic staff within our service is critically important and the life blood of our service. As such, if we are to retain our proud heritage and tradition of policing by consent, it is imperative that we not only have the consent of the public we serve, but also engage with all our communities.

“It is therefore vital that the make-up of our service is truly representative of our diverse communities and I, for one, want to see that diversity represented within South Wales Police and I will be committed to putting that right.”