Police officers will be free to take knee at Black Lives Matter protests, chief says
Police officers will not be disciplined for taking a knee during the Black Lives Matter movement, a police chief has said.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson said officers take oaths around inpartiality – but couldn't be impartial about racism.
It comes as campaigners, footballers and other stars have came out to take a knee which has become a symbol of the movement.
Mr Thompson said: "This has been a topic debated quite widely and officers take an oath around inpartiality.
"But the protests are against racism and it's not possible for the force to be impartial on racism.
"With regard to taking the knee, that has evolved, I think, as a symbol which many view as a political message – they see it as a widespread commitment to anti-racism.
"There are some circumstances where it might not be the most sensible when dealing with larger crowds and groups.
"And there are other circumstances where it will be the right thing to do to capture the sentiment of these groups.
"We have many BAME staff who have been affected by this and they are all given an individual choice.
"I don't think in any circumstances they have breached the oath by taking a knee."
Mr Thompson also said any efforts to topple a statue in the region would be treated as criminal damage by the force.
He stressed there needed to be democratic discussions before any statue is removed following the toppling of Edward Colston's statue in Bristol.
He said: "There's been a debate in society about historical figures we have previously celebrated. Democratic conversations need to be had and it's right to have those discussions.
"But it's not acceptable to tear down and damage statues – it's criminal damage and we will ensure we enforce that.
"I can't comment about the events in Bristol, but police have to be mindful of the balance between looking at the best away to police it and not aggravating the public."
