Liberal Democrats challenge lack of Black police officers in Kent 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for action to increase diversity in the police force as new figures reveal that only 0.3% of police officers in Kent are Black.

According to the Liberal Democrats' analysis, the statistics show the Government's new officer recruitment has failed to improve the situation. The number of Black officers in Kent has only risen by 2 since March 2019, even though the total size of the force has increased by246.

Graham Colley, who has been selected to be the candidate for the Liberal Democrats in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections for Kent said: "Urgent action is needed to ensure that police forces actually reflect the makeup of communities like Medway. These figures show the Government is falling woefully short of that standard."

"Building trust and confidence in the police among Black communities cannot happen without addressing the shocking lack of diversity, and bringing more Black people into this key profession."

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

"It is appalling that in 2020 the Conservative Government's effort to recruit people to the police force is failing to bring in Black officers.

"The Liberal Democrats are fighting to improve the representation of Black communities throughout our society, including in the police and the judiciary, as part of a proper Race Equality Strategy."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

See here for the data used in this release and links to the relevant Government data sets.