POLICE officers have agreed to work with a new organisation for ethnic minority colleagues, despite criticising the group as "unnecessary".

The county branch of the Black Police Association was yesterday launched at Lancs Police HQ.

The association will help to attract new recruits from ethnic backgrounds and provide support for black and Asian officers.

But Colin Berry, secretary of Lancashire Police Federation, said: "We don't really feel there is a need for it.

"We feel the Black Police Association is unnecessary from a representative point of view.

"Having said that, if it sees itself as a support group which benefits officers, then we do not have a problem with that.

"The Police Federation is elected to represent all officers, regardless of race, colour or creed, from the ranks of constable to chief inspector. "We do not see the Black Police Association as a threat and will do our best if they want our help."

The Black Police Association, which will involve special constables and civilian staff, has been set up after a months of planning by a steering group.

Chief Constable Pauline Clare and Judge Ray Singh, the commissioner for Wales of the Commission for Racial Equality, gave their backing during the ceremony.

Mrs Clare said: "The association marks a significant step towards my vision of providing a police service which makes the people of Lancashire feel safer.

"I want to emphasise involvement and unless we broadly reflect the diverse communities we serve, we will not have the understanding of those communities.

"They are the bedrock of policing by consent. I want to recruit from the best people available and if some communities feel excluded, then we are restricting our choice to less than the best."

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