Just a quick note on the assertions that this inquiry is a waste of time/money and that we should let them get back to policing.
1. Because of overwhelming anecdotal evidence (whether true or not), the police is perceived to be racist.
2. That perception is felt among ethnic minorities who, as a result, don't see the police as an attractive employer.
3. That means that they don't apply to work there so that ethnic minorities are under-represented.
Some of you are thinking, 'So what? Why should race matter? It's positive discrimination/political correctness."
It matters because policing relies on the cooperation of the community. And if a community feels that the police don't represent them, it alienates them and creates a them-and-us attitude. That's not a chip on the shoulder, that is human nature. It would be the same for us the other way round.
If they're alienated, they're less likely to report crime, assist with investigations, and boost police intelligence. Put together, that makes the streets less safe and increase crime.
So it'snot really a waste of time. It's essential that we do something about it.