Th – you say “I can't really reason with that level of unreasonable”
Of course you can, and to prove it you did !
So we fully agree that "the police should reflect society. Absolutely"
You ask "but it doesn't. Why"
Well that was my question wasn't it?
You state that I “seem to lay the blame at BAME communities for not being brave enough to apply”.
Well absolutely NO- I don’t do what you insinuated - all I am asking is why don’t they apply, I have given no reason nor suggestion as to why they don’t but you did!
You concluded “it’s because there are examples of institutional racism within the police. I provide examples of evidence of this” and the few examples you gave one at least going back 3 years were simply that some had tried and failed to make change happen, not exactly a strong argument as to why they shouldn’t apply in numbers was it!
You continue by saying “if there's a problem in the police force, it is on the police force to solve it. Not BAME communities to join up and change from within. Why should they? ” Unbelievable!
Firstly you suggest “if” there is a problem, well let me assure you there certainly is!
Secondly you suggest it just a matter for the police force to solve it?
Well it sure as hell isn’t “just” for the police, it’s down to society to be proactive and more BAME police officers are IMO key to solving that problem.
You ask “would you join an organisation you have been treated like shit by, just to change from within? Most people wouldn't. Most people would ask why on earth they should be discriminated against and demand change”
You cannot assume what “most people” would do but personally speaking yes, yes , yes and yes again!
To “demand change” you suggest, well that’s really going to make a difference isn’t it, demanding , words, words and more words, not for me , its actions that make the changes!
If enough members of the minorities made the effort to become police and yes probably face a hard time and if the numbers were big enough they would not just demand change but eventually secure it by being a power group within to force through change.
What’s the alternative? Keep getting provoked and “attacked” , keep shouting and demanding change, keep marching, keep chanting, keep taking the knee..........no that won’t make change happen, only strong but legal action will ....and the police have to be changed from within and that can’t happen without a bigger representation of the minorities.
Don’t be proactive and let the situation get worse with more incidents of racism, agression, suspicion, violence and a breakdown of society – not a satisfactory resolution.