Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Press Release
Leicestershire Black Police Association
On Saturday, September 16, Leicestershire Black Police Association members and representatives of the local Somali community will each be ‘putting their best foot forward’ in a friendly football match.
The opposition will be a team made up of Derbyshire Black Police Association members and representatives of minority ethnic communities from Derbyshire. The match will take place at 1pm at Blaby Scouts HQ.
This is a unique event and is a way of building relationships with minority ethnic communities within the region. Leicestershire and Derbyshire Black Police Associations have always worked closely together and bringing our communities together for a football friendly seemed a natural step forwards.
Insp. Nick Glynn, chair of Leicestershire BPA, said:
“Leicestershire BPA is committed to developing stronger links with black and minority ethnic communities in Leicestershire. This event is one where police officers, staff, family and friends will interact with members of the Somali community in a positive and constructive way that will further develop the relationships built up over the last few years.”
The BPA recognise that the support of communities is vital in creating a safer society.
Hasim Duale, a community development officer in the Somali community, said: “I strongly believe that initiatives like this football game can build bridges between the police and communities, especially hard to reach groups such as the new Somali community.”
Theresa Peltier, chair of Derbyshire BPA, was more than happy to provide help and support for the initiative.
“The importance of partnership working and engaging with our communities cannot be underestimated, she said. “Everyone benefits from events such as these in terms of eradicating negative perceptions, and offering mutual support, and I hope it will be the first of many.”
Source: Leicestershire Black Police Association, Sept 13, 2006
