BBC NEWS | England | Kent | Row over Kent Police racism claim


Row over Kent Police racism claim

Kent Police officers have reacted angrily to comments made by one of their colleagues that racism was "widespread" within the force.

Det Sgt Wendell Henry made the claim on BBC South East Today after a report about two black men who said they were strip searched without justification.

Kent Police Federation chairman Ian Pointon said the comments were "dangerous, insulting and baseless".

But Det Sgt Henry said he had since been thanked by dozens of officers.

Mr Pointon issued a statement, which said: "This disgraceful allegation of widespread racism within Kent Police is an insult to both police officers and police staff who work hard to police all the communities within Kent.

If any evidence is found than swift action will follow
Kent Police

"There is absolutely no evidence to support his allegation and his description of Kent Police is one that I simply do not recognise.

He said he would like to believe the pressure of a live interview led to "unwise" comments, because Det Sgt Henry had never approached him with any evidence.

Mr Pointon added: "Tackling prejudice and racism, wherever it surfaces is hugely important, but I fear that some will seek to use this unfounded allegation to undermine policing in Kent."

Kent Police also issued a statement, which said: "Kent Police does not tolerate racism.

"Any allegation of racism will be investigated thoroughly.

"If any evidence is found than swift action will follow.

"In 2006 Kent Police was presented with a Diversity Award [from] the National Black Police Association (NBPA)."

'Personal opinion'

Det Sgt Henry, who is also a member of NBPA, was interviewed by the BBC after a report about Alioune Haynes.

My Haynes said he had lost all faith in the police after a disciplinary hearing into officers who strip searched him and a friend was halted because of legal reasons.

When he was asked whether there was racism within the force, Det Sgt Henry, said: "As a personal opinion, yes."

He added: "I think it is widespread in the force because the community is a reflection of who police officers are taken from and we can't say that Kent doesn't have any racists.

"The police force hires from those communities and we must have racists within our midst."


Two black men said they had been strip searched without justification