LONDON, Dec 18: The increasingly diverse demands on the British police from communities of various faiths, languages and cultures have given birth to a new project within the institution under which officers and staff are identified with the best possible relevant skill sets, for example in Islam, Urdu language and Punjabi culture etc., through a process of identification and a recording mechanism.
Called FLAC (Faith, Language and Culture), the project was launched here on Monday by Assistant Chief Constable Rob Beckley.
The FLAC has already compiled a database of 65,000 volunteers from the police force.
When needed these officers would be inducted in investigation processes and used specially to help victims volunteer evidence in confidence.
The extent of the heavy demand on the capacities of the UK police can be gauged by the fact that in London alone 161 languages are spoken. Besides you can find spread over England, Wales and Northern Ireland followers of every faith and culture that is found on this earth.
The Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) National Community Tension Team is providing the mechanism to make these skills available across the UK.Rob Beckley, ACPO lead on service delivery for the Race and Diversity Board addressing a group of police officers and media persons said: “This is vital work. Our communities rightly demand a high level of service which requires an understanding of the unique needs of every one who calls for our services. Project FLAC will enable all our colleagues to access the range of skills that our colleagues have around faith, language and culture.
These skills are available for significant incidents or inquiries. Through using project FLAC the police service will be better able to respond to the needs of our diverse communities.”
The ACPO is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with the government and the Association of Police Authorities, the ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need the ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.
ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of the Assistant Chief Constable Rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.
