Labour’s policing spokesperson on the London Assembly has called for a bursary fund to be set up to help Black and Minority Ethic Londoners join the Metropolitan Police.
Candidates wishing to apply to the Met must first attain the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing which costs around £1,000 and must be paid for by the applicant.
Labour say the cost can deter applications from low-income Londoners, including those from BAME communities, which risks undermining efforts to recruit more non-white officers and ensure the force better reflects London’s diversity.
The proposal for a bursary is contained in the party’s response to Mayor Boris Johnson’s budget for the forthcoming year which will be examined by Assembly Members this Wednesday.
Joanne McCartney AM, Labour’s Police and Crime spokesperson, will also present measures she says would fund an additional 250 officers to police the capital’s transport network and 1,185 extra Police Community Support Officers.
Other proposals include developing advocacy support for victims with learning disabilities and mental health issues and increasing the number of domestic violence advocates.
At Wednesday’s meeting AMs will have the opportunity to question the Mayor on his spending plans for the 2014/15 financial year and set out alternative measures for consideration.
Assembly Member McCartney said “These plans are fully costed and I hope that when they are formally presented to the Mayor at Wednesday’s Greater London Authority Budget meeting he accepts them.”
The meeting takes place in the chamber at City Hall from 10am, Wednesday 29 January 2014. Papers can be downloaded from London Assembly website and a webcast will be available.
