Evenin' all . . . or at least the ones in my gang

Is it just me or does anyone else see any irony in the Metropolitan Black Police Association announcing a minority recruitment ban at the Metropolitan Police amid claims of racism - that from an organisation which states: "Membership to the Association is available to all black staff employed by the Metropolitan Police Service."

At least the National Black Police Association claims membership is open to all serving police officers although I suspect the white contingent do not need too many rooms at the annual conference. Sadly I suspect if anyone were to attempt to start the National White Police Association that they would spend the rest of their somewhat shortened career within the constabulary in court or attending disciplinary hearings but in the tospy turvy, PC world we live in that is the way the cookie crumbles these days.

Once upon a time we had coppers and law and order on the streets but these days the police are becoming politicised and I suspect minority pressure groups for everything from gay police officers to black officers is not really helping the cause and is certainly doing nothing for law and order.

Nor is positive discrimination - a weasly phrase to try and put a false veneer of respectability over injustice - doing anything to catch the bad guys make the streets safe. If one group or sex is favoured over another then it is discrimination plain and simple no matter what spin you put on it and that causes resentment and unrest.

The culture of PC and legislation so beloved of this Government and its trendy camp followers just provides ammunition for the meddlers and political carpet baggers and adventurers, stifles free speech and virtually outlaws sensible debate and has done nothing to improve race relations, social integration and understanding. In fact all the meddling and finger wagging has probably made things worse.

There are always going to be racists, of all colours and ethnic origins, and no amount of legislation will ever change that but if we are not careful we are in danger of making everyone racists to some degree or another and the more narrowly defined boxes and minority agendas appear the more people will feel forced to choose sides and the tribal menatality grows.

The welfare of serving police officers, or any group for that matter, should be the same whatever their colour, origin or sex and once you lose sight of that the waters become very murky indeed.