To mark the end of Black History Month, PCC Bach and chief constable Simon Cole are meeting tonight with the African Heritage Alliance to discuss the “significant milestone”.

In a speech to the Alliance, PCC Bach referred to the most quoted Sir Robert Peel Principal: "The police are the public, and the public are the police."

“These words remain a touchstone for every police officer in Leicestershire, regardless of rank or role,” said PCC Bach.

“Ensuring that this remains the case sits at the heart of my work.”

Around 25 pent of the local population identifies as BAME. 

“This is what our 'public' looks like. This is our benchmark.”

He wants to see at least one in four recruits coming from a diverse background and hopes to see a significant increase in the number of people with Black African/Afro Caribbean heritage.

"I appreciate that the police will not achieve this on their own. I want the black community in Leicestershire to be part of this drive.  Because if the force reflects the public and the public reflects the force, the concerns of prejudicial treatment and bias will be eliminated.”

PCC Bach said the proportion of recruits from the Black Asian Minority Ethnic community has more or less doubled during my time in office.

“Nonetheless, progress is slow,” he said. “Too slow.”

Leicestershire are also creating dedicated Black African/Afro-Caribbean paid graduate intern positions within the force and the OPCC.

“These posts will pick up a range of research and analysis tasks to shape policy and procedures as a direct response to the diversity challenge,” said PCC Bach.

Current force breakdown: