NSW police reject racial stereotype allegation

AAP Saturday, June 15 2002 - 17:07

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NSW police have rejected claims their new television recruitment ad is guilty of racial stereotyping.

The 90-second reality-TV style commercial shows police in dangerous and confronting situations.

Calling it divisive and offensive, Fairfield councillor Thang Ngo said the criminals and victims depicted were obviously from a non-English speaking ethnic background.

But he said not one of the police officers depicted in the ad appeared to have come from such a background.

Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said all the officers were current serving police officers.

"All NSW police were invited to submit an application to appear in the commercial," he said.

Recruitment drives took several forms, Mr Scipione said.

"NSW Police regularly advertise in non-English speaking background media for recruits," he said.

"The commercial is a reality-based recruitment advertisement to demonstrate the diversity of policing.

Mr Ngo said the ad might attract people to the police force who subscribed to false and divisive racial stereotypes.

"It's no wonder police have trouble attracting ethnic recruits," he said.

He called on NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney to immediately withdraw the ad.