London Mayor Sadiq Khan took a proactive approach to discrimination in the Metropolitan Police. We need the same in Finland to deal with a problematic issue in the Finnish police force.
“Last week I made it clear to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner (Cressida Dick) the scale of the change I believe is urgently required to rebuild the trust and confidence of Londoners in the Met and to root out the racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination, and misogyny that still exists. I am not satisfied with the commissioner’s report on being informed of this. Cressida Dick has offered her resignation of which I have accepted.”
“It’s clear that the only way to start to deliver the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the Metropolitan Police. “
Wise words by Mayor Khan.
Why don’t we hear the same from our politicians?
It is clear that the same issues that stain and undermine confidence in the Metropolitan Police also are a blow to confidence in Finland, especially among migrants and minorities.
We have read too many stories in Finland about racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination, and misogyny in the Finnish police.
The latest one was how little the police do to tackle human trafficking.
One explanation of disinterest could be resources, but another one would be racism. The vast majority of human trafficking victims are migrants.
Despite those police officials who stain the police service, many dedicated police officials do their job without the toxic baggage of racism.