ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews continuities and changes in three broad aspects of relationships between police and ethnic minorities. It argues which holds currency that increasing the proportion of ethnic minority police officers within the organization would provide a challenge to the racist values and improve the legitimacy of the police in the eyes of people belonging to ethnic minority groups. The chapter examines the experiences of ethnic minority police officers, their impact on the organization, and the organizational reforms that have supported or impeded their development as officers over the 20 years since Police and people in London. It explores the contribution of Black Police Associations towards improving the position of ethnic minority officers within the police service. The chapter discusses the reforms that have sought to increase police responsiveness to the community and community participation in shaping police policy. It shows that 'rule-tightening' reforms have a limited capacity to create actual change in the nature and pattern of policing.
