There is a massive task and no one should underestimate what is needed. Column 394 As it happens, I have, over a number of years, studied the police not only in this country, but in other European countries such as France, Holland and Germany, as well as looked at the position in the United States. In my judgment and, even more important, in the judgment of those overseas, the reputation of the police here among the public generally is higher than probably anywhere else in Europe and, arguably, the world. Many people in this country look on the police as friends, not enemies. We must extend that feeling.
Many people see the police as a service to which they can turn when in trouble.
We must extend that perception. The police must be there to serve equally all our citizens, but let us for our part recognise that they often have to operate in very dangerous and very difficult situations. I do not accept that and nor does Sir William Macpherson. No chief constable would deny that there have been serious failures of that kind, as there have been in other organisations, including, as Macpherson says, the criminal justice system itself. It also does not entail accepting that the policies of the Metropolitan police are racist.