Force recruitment may be illegal

The Chief Constable of Avon Somerset Police says he now believes a "positive discrimination" recruitment policy may have been illegal.

The force's campaign to recruit people from ethnic minorities prompted accusations of discrimination against 186 white male applicants.

Independent advice has concluded the policy may have contravened the Sex Discrimination and Race Relations Act.

Colin Port has defended the scheme and the reasons for adopting it.

'Not appropriate'

"Through use of positive action and using the model of the Disability Discrimination Act we intended to recruit officers that more accurately reflect the diverse communities we serve," he said.

"It was not and has never been our intention to discriminate against anyone who applies for a position with Avon and Somerset Constabulary."

Chief Constable Port has said he now realises the policy was "not appropriate" and offers have since been made to reconsider all applicants who were excluded.

"We will continue to think and find ways of trying to recruit more men and women from groups that are under-represented," he said.

"We will have to be innovative in our thinking but it may also include us being again pioneering in our approach."