Metropolitan Police criticised after racism inquiry
A senior police officer has joined criticism of Scotland Yard's record on racism, saying warnings have fallen on "deaf ears" for more than a decade.
Supt Leroy Logan, of the Black Police Association, said the Met needed to put racial issues "back on the agenda".
Two former senior Metropolitan Police officers have also criticised the force after eight officers were suspended over allegations of racism.
The force has said racist language is "abhorrent" and not tolerated.
In total, 18 officers and one civilian staff member are being investigated in relation to 10 claims of racism.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the claims which include bullying, abuse and physical assault.
Three officers from Newham were suspended on Thursday while five other officers and one civilian member of staff had previously been suspended at various stages over the past year.
Supt Logan, who was a founder member of the National Black Police Association, said attitudes to race relations had recently deteriorated.
Claims include:
Bullying by a number of police officers and staff against police community support officers over an 18-month period in Wandsworth. Two officers were suspended.
An assault involving five officers from the Territorial Support Group against several youngsters in Hyde Park in 2011.
Mishandling of calls with a "racial element" by a PC working in the force's central communication command in 2010.
Racist language in Islington by a PC and a member of police staff, reported on 26 March. Both the officer and civilian staff were suspended.
An officer convicted on 23 March of racially aggravated public order offences that were investigated by the British Transport Police - a mandatory referral to the IPCC. The officer is suspended.
"Every year since 2001, the young people have been saying how they believe they are being dealt with disrespectfully, not shown enough dignity, casual racist comments were being used," he said.
[link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17636776|