Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has said the force must recruit more black and Asian officers to build trust with minority ethnic communities in London. He vowed not to be "blown off course by the culture wars" over diversity initiatives.
Rowley, Britain's top police officer, said he was prepared to take a stand against what he called the "toxicity" surrounding the diversity debate. He criticised other leaders for "running away from the subject."
The Met's diversity recruitment has faced criticism from the right. Critics claim such drives lead to lower standards. The Telegraph and Reform Party, among others, have challenged diversity initiatives, with Reform Party figures claiming police wasted money on diversity schemes.
Rowley rejected these arguments. He framed inclusive recruitment as essential to the force's mission of serving all London communities. His comments represent a direct pushback against mounting political pressure on diversity programmes across British institutions.