A Force For Change Conference

Post-Conference document | Conference Brochure | Agenda |
Workshops | Speakers and Panellists | Conference pictures

In order to adequately address the issues behind the relative lack of black and minority ethnic recruits to the Scottish Police Service and debate feasible corrective programmes, SEMPERscotland – in association with the Scottish Executive and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), held a policy-making conference on November 30 – December 1.

Both ACPOS and the Scottish Executive welcomed the opportunity to take time out to openly debate these issues; engage with specialists in matters of race and, at the same time, progress the recommendations from the recent CRE Review.

Key members from the Scottish Police fraternity and organisations involved with race equality and the wider criminal justice system lent their support and actively contribute to this important symposium on examining the ways forward in achieving a more diverse, dynamic police service.

The aim from this conference is to get workable solutions and resolutions which will, hopefully, form the basis of government policies and, where applicable, legislation.

The conference was well attended over the two days by representatives from:

• The Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland
• The Scottish Executive
• The Scottish Police Federation
• The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
• The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents
• The British Transport Police
• The National Black Police Association UK
• The National Black Police Association USA
• The Commission for Racial Equality
• The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary
• The Gay Police Association
• Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency
• The Police Authority
• The Scottish Police College
• The Scottish Police Information Strategy
• The Fire Service
• Race Equality councils

As well as other government officials, policymakers, and advocates of equality.

The overall conference survey results were very positive, particularly the speakers; the workshops; the panel debate; the networking opportunities and, of course, the food!

ACPOS and SEMPERscotland will be meeting in early 2006 to formulate a shared list of recommendations to the Scottish Executive on policies/programmes regarding the recruitment, retention and progression of minority ethnic staff.

The Post-Conference document gives a flavour of what took place and the level of work needed to be done to take these discussions on to the next stage.

SEMPERscotland would like to thank everyone who took part in this ambitious project and hope you will continue to support and promote the work of the organisation.

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