Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 2 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 July 2002. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Thursday, 11 July 2002 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent progress has been made in improving ethnic minority representation in the Police Service for Northern Ireland. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made in improving ethnic minority representation in the Police Service for Northern Ireland. [67330] Jane Kennedy: At 1 November 2001 there were 17 police officers in Northern Ireland from an ethnic minority background (0.16 per cent. of the total). Since recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began on 4 November 2001, there has been one new recruit from an ethnic minority community background, bringing the total number within the PSNI to 18 (0.18 per cent.) While the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland (the Patten Report) noted that ethnic minorities comprise less than 1 per cent. of the Northern Ireland population (para. 14.6), particular account is being taken of the need to increase ethnic minority representation in the new policing service. This is reflected through both the design and publication of recruitment advertisements, and the organisation of familiarisation days for members of the Chinese community.

Secondary information