The Executive

Chairperson : Vinny Tomlinson

I have been employed with Merseyside Police, since May 1999, as a Communications Officer in our Calls & Response department. I worked in Liverpool Control Room at HQ and later moved to the South Liverpool Control room, when it was opened in 2004.

The role I performed was, primarily though not exclusively, that of a Radio Dispatcher for F1/2 area (Dingle/St Michaels/Wavertree/Granby) so I have a good insight into the incidents of crime/disorder in an area were the majority of Liverpool's ethnic minority reside.

Though I spent most of my childhood in Frodsham (Cheshire) I was born, and spent most of my adult life in Toxteth and this often assists the BPA with
networking and community consultation in the area.

Race and racism form some of my earliest childhood memories and I have long been aware of what being Black in Britain means both from a social
and professional viewpoint. I decided to get involved with the BPA to ensure and contribute to the black voice being heard, not only within
Merseyside Police but also externally to ensure better service delivery to the community. I am well aware of perceptions, from certain members of the
black & minority ethnic communities, towards Merseyside Police and the run up to the disorder of summer 1981. Hardly a day goes by without witnessing or reading about some form of ignorance with regard to race and it is important to make sure that we are doing all we can to counter this.

Within Merseyside Police I have witnessed many incidents of racism and cultural insensitivity and challenged a few! They range from the ignorant
to the blatantly racist. We can't afford to become complacent. I believe that education is vital if racist culture is to be eradicated. Schools, employers & parents all have a part to play in this.

In 'The Secret Policeman' documentary, the venue, time & date were chosen at random and yet unearthed a culture of blatant racism, rarely if ever
challenged.

As Chair of the BPA, my ambition is to oversee an organisation which contributes towards effecting change for the better. To ensure black & minority ethnic staff receive equal & fair treatment in order to fulfil their potential and that the minority ethnic communities we serve perceive that we understand their needs and feel we are servicing them appropriately

The views expressed on other websites are not necessarily those of Merseyside Black Police Association

in partnership with
Merseyside Police