BAME AND BAME BELIEF SUPPORT GROUP


being treated unfairly, as they don’t want to be labelled. “But it’s certainly not about black


versus white versus Asian etc – we need to focus on people, and begin a conversation involving every police officer from every background. Policing is for everyone, as my own personal journey proves. People should not be placed in boxes or categorised. “The BAME and BAME Belief Support


Group – in line with other support groups and as part of PFEW’s wider equality plan – has an important role to play. Colleagues on the group have some fantastic ideas and we’re determined to be a strong voice for positive change.” Rushing off to another appointment,


Nadia ends the conversation with her trademark laugh when asked her opinion on becoming a Fed rep. Would she recommend it?:


“Wholeheartedly, yes,” she said. “I have met some incredibly supportive people, both as members and local and national reps. They started as strangers and have now become lifelong friends.”


BAME GROUP’S MISSION TO MAKE FEDERATION MORE REPRESENTATIVE


T


he formation of a BAME and BAME Belief Support Group a year ago represented an important step


forward for Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).


Group members have been working closely with the National Chair’s Office and National Board to ensure the organisation stays fully informed about BAME related issues.


During a recent meeting, the group discussed unconscious bias and the ‘disproportionate’ number of complaints and disciplines faced by BAME officers. They also heard the powerful testimony of one officer who told how his religion had negatively impacted on his relationship with colleagues.


The meeting was attended by Helping towards unity


“Our BAME work is not about integration. If we are still trying to integrate then we have made some serious mistakes since 1837, when the first black officer, John Kent, joined a police force,” said Paul Odle, Chair, BAME and BAME Belief Support group. “BAME is about understanding


different cultures and religions. It is about respecting those differences, and not necessarily accepting them - though that would be a bonus to achieve true harmony. “This will help towards unity not


just with our colleagues but also with the public whom we serve. “It saddens me many BAME


members still feel isolated. Culture and religion should no longer be an obstacle, but, unfortunately, because of ignorance it still is. “I want to see more ethnic


minorities in high-ranking positions, not because they are BAME members but because they have achieved the standards required. The only way to obtain these standards is to instil confidence in our members.”


Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, Head of Counterterrorism at the Met, who gave his full support. Met Fed Rep Paul Odle is Chair of the group, while Leicestershire Police Federation’s Equality Lead, DS Nadia Rana, is Vice-Chair. Zac Mader from the Police Federation National Board is Secretary of the group, with Tony Hibbet, a Warwickshire Police Inspector, as his deputy. Zac said: “This is very personal to me and gives me an opportunity as a National Board member to make a real difference for BAME colleagues. I want more BAME colleagues to want to be Fed reps. “To support this ambition, the


Federation must be even more inviting and culturally aware. BAME colleagues therefore need to be able to be their own cultural selves. Never has there been a more important time for PFEW


to engage and magnify the voice of BAME colleagues, and this can truly make a difference.


“I recognise within myself some of the challenges I have faced being part of the Federation. I’ll be honest and admit that not being my cultural self has had a profound impact on me. We need to create a more welcoming environment which is culturally aware, fully inclusive of BAME and BAME Belief issues, and affords colleagues the opportunity to flourish within. “We can do this by working as one, and in the best traditions of PFEW.”


For more information about the BAME and BAME Belief Support Group, email: bame@polfed.org


Zac Mader


SEPTEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 27


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