North Yorkshire's Chief Constable David Kenworthy and police authority chairman Angela Harris are to meet Home Secretary Jack Straw to discuss force policy on multiracial recruitment.

David Kenworthy: looking forward to meeting

The force, criticised by Mr Straw for having low numbers of ethnic minority officers, argues it reflects the make-up of the general population in the county.

News of the meeting came as the police authority pledged to improve its policing of racial minorities in the wake of the inquiry into the death of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Coun Harris told a meeting of police authority members at Ryedale House yesterday that it was committed to offering a service to the whole community.

"We will work to ensure the community gets the policing it deserves and that, of course, includes ethnic minority groups," she said. Chief Constable David Kenworthy said he was looking forward to a meeting with the Home Secretary to clarify the force's position and discuss future recruitment.

Mrs Harris and the police's director of human resources, Judith Wardell, are also expected to attend the meeting with Mr Straw."I am waiting to go and meet the Home Secretary," said Mr Kenworthy.

"But I have not had any contact with him since the Lawrence Inquiry report - all that I know at the moment is what has been in the newspapers.

"These are challenging times for all police forces but I don't have many answers, especially on how the findings of the Lawrence Inquiry will affect us."

Authority member Mick Haigh said while it was true the force had an unfortunate reputation he now believed it was on the leading edge of carrying out consultation and changing for the better.

And Coun Liz Edge congratulated Mr Kenworthy on his open approach, saying it went part of the way to solving any problem.

North Yorkshire Police had recently been selected as a pilot site for the development of National Community Race Relations Training and will work in partnership with the Home Office Specialist Support Unit on the development of a core training programme.

"The force will be looking to create and environment where all staff are valued and empowered and tolerance of individuals and minority groups is a priority for all," said Mr Kenworthy.

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