Police forced to spend £15,000 on new mascot - because character is 'too male and white'
Last updated at 16:18pm on 19th November 2007
Uniformed mascot: Is said to be 'too male and white'
Police chiefs will spend £15,000 creating "ethnically diverse" mascots after one of their officers criticised an existing model for being too male and white.
PCSO Steve, a uniformed mascot complete with over-sized head and equipment, was created by the Metropolitan Police for visits to primary schools.
But one of the force's sergeants slammed the character for failing to represent the capital's communities.
He said the figure, which is white with blue eyes and blond hair, risks leaving Asian and women officers "isolated".
The comments sparked a public row with some claiming the criticism was taking political correctness too far.
Now senior officers said they will invest £15,000 in the design and production of three new characters.
In a written response to questions from the London Assembly, Sir Ian Blair said staff from the force's diversity unit were brought in to help create the costumes.
He said: "These characters will be more representative of London's population and the diverse range of police personnel.
"The choice of characters will allow the concept of a Safer Neighbourhoods team to be presented to young children as well as delivering an important message about the different roles of PCSOs and constables."
The original PCSO Steve costume was based on real-life Sutton borough police community support officer Stephen King.
Paid for by a £1,000 sponsorship deal with a local plumbing firm, the character proved a huge hit at schools and other public events.
But it attracted criticism from one sergeant who claimed an Asian colleague could not wear the costume at an event because it has a short-sleeved shirt.
In a letter to police in-house magazine The Job published today, one officer said the row could damage relations between the police and the public.
Pc Geoff Parker, who works in Islington, said: "One of the things that is damaging our job and our relations with the community is this constant overbearing political correctness.
"We seem to be taking the issue to the extreme, and pandering to every whim and gripe. We need to take a sensible approach to this and stop over-reacting."
The project has now been renamed "Police Pals" and police officer versions of the costumes will also be made.
The new costumes, expected to be ready early next year, include a woman PCSO, named Sunita, and a man and a woman police constable.
The £15,000 bill includes £600 in design costs and £14,400 for the creation of four suits for each of the three characters
Last updated at 16:18pm on 19th November 2007
Uniformed mascot: Is said to be 'too male and white'
Police chiefs will spend £15,000 creating "ethnically diverse" mascots after one of their officers criticised an existing model for being too male and white.
PCSO Steve, a uniformed mascot complete with over-sized head and equipment, was created by the Metropolitan Police for visits to primary schools.
But one of the force's sergeants slammed the character for failing to represent the capital's communities.
He said the figure, which is white with blue eyes and blond hair, risks leaving Asian and women officers "isolated".
The comments sparked a public row with some claiming the criticism was taking political correctness too far.
Now senior officers said they will invest £15,000 in the design and production of three new characters.
In a written response to questions from the London Assembly, Sir Ian Blair said staff from the force's diversity unit were brought in to help create the costumes.
He said: "These characters will be more representative of London's population and the diverse range of police personnel.
"The choice of characters will allow the concept of a Safer Neighbourhoods team to be presented to young children as well as delivering an important message about the different roles of PCSOs and constables."
The original PCSO Steve costume was based on real-life Sutton borough police community support officer Stephen King.
Paid for by a £1,000 sponsorship deal with a local plumbing firm, the character proved a huge hit at schools and other public events.
But it attracted criticism from one sergeant who claimed an Asian colleague could not wear the costume at an event because it has a short-sleeved shirt.
In a letter to police in-house magazine The Job published today, one officer said the row could damage relations between the police and the public.
Pc Geoff Parker, who works in Islington, said: "One of the things that is damaging our job and our relations with the community is this constant overbearing political correctness.
"We seem to be taking the issue to the extreme, and pandering to every whim and gripe. We need to take a sensible approach to this and stop over-reacting."
The project has now been renamed "Police Pals" and police officer versions of the costumes will also be made.
The new costumes, expected to be ready early next year, include a woman PCSO, named Sunita, and a man and a woman police constable.
The £15,000 bill includes £600 in design costs and £14,400 for the creation of four suits for each of the three characters
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