Racism warnings 'fell on deaf ears,' says top UK police official

London, Apr 7 (ANI): A senior British police official has joined criticism of Scotland Yard's record racial behaviour, saying warnings have fallen on 'deaf ears' for more than a decade.

Supt Leroy Logan, who founded the Met Black Police Association, said the Met needed to put racial issues "back on the agenda".

Logan stressed that attitudes to race relations had recently deteriorated.

"Every year since 2001, the young people have been saying how they believe they are being dealt with disrespectfully, not shown enough dignity, casual racist comments were being used," The BBC quoted Logan, as saying.

"Like so many things, it lands on deaf ears until such a time as a free press - the media - get hold of it and forces people into action," he added.

Logan, who was a founder member of the National Black Police Association, said the force needed to 'get its act together' and 'root out the bad boy cops'.

"The issues haven't been reviewed effectively by external agencies, that's why we are getting these incidents," he added.

According to the report, two former senior Metropolitan Police officers have also criticised the force after eight officers were suspended over allegations of racism.

The force has said racist language is 'abhorrent' and not tolerated.

In total, 18 officers and one civilian staff member are being investigated in relation to ten claims of racism.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the claims that include bullying, abuse and physical assault. (ANI)