A record number of women and ethnic minority officers are quitting the British police within months of joining, prompting concerns that racism and sexism are undermining the government's efforts to increase diversity.
Female and ethnic minority trainee officers are twice as likely to resign as are their white and male colleagues, according to Home Office figures cited by The Times daily.
The police service had 4,629 ethnic minority officers in 2004, an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.
However, 17.8 per cent of black and Asian recruits in 2004 resigned or were dismissed within six months of starting their jobs, compared to 7.7 per cent of white officers.
Last year, 12.6 per cent of ethnic minority recruits dropped out within six months, compared to 7.6 per cent of white officers.
The number of female recruits leaving within six months was at 6.8 per cent, almost double that of males.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has ordered that forces must question all officers who resign about any discrimination, harassment or bullying they may have suffered.
A Home Office notice to chief constables said: 'There are higher rates of voluntary resignation for minority ethnic officers, women and probationers and, at a time when the service is seeking to increase these officers, it is important to find out why these groups are leaving.'
The numbers of new black and Asian officers have increased greatly in recent years as forces have attempted to meet government recruitment targets on race and gender, but the service is suffering from a revolving-door syndrome, the daily said.
© 2025