LANCASHIRE police recruits are appointed because of their strengths as candidates rather than their race, bosses have said.

The new chief constable of Greater Manchester Police caused a storm this week after revealing his force may have to select people based on race, rather than ability, to meet quota levels.

But Lancashire Constabulary already meets its target for the number of ethnic minority officers.

And bosses said top quality recruits were selected following work by existing officers to bring in the best.

Superintendent Bob Eastwood, head of Lancashire Constabulary Diversity Unit, said: “We want to recruit from the best within our workforce and be representative of our communities. There is a wealth of talent in all different communities.

“Expensive recruitment campaigns are not always the most effective use of resources. We aim to spot potential recruits who fit our criteria that our staff encounter during their working day, and then earmark these people for recruitment."

He added: “The Constabulary will continue with the measures in place to ensure that staff employed accurately reflects the diverse makeup of the communities.”

As of 31 March 2008, there were 107 minority ethnic police officers at Lancashire Constabulary, 2.9 per cent of the force's 3,675 officers.GMP has a target of having 7.2 per cent of its 8,142 staff from ethnic minorities, but has 4.25 per cent - 346 police officers - from a black or Asian background.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said ‘affirmative action’ should be considered' but that it would never happen because of ‘public mood’.