The president of the National Black Police Association yesterday called for positive discrimination to boost the number of black and Asian officers.

The president of the National Black Police Association yesterday called for positive discrimination to boost the number of black and Asian officers.

Commander Ali Dizaei, who was speaking at a conference in York, said "radical change" was needed to recruit the "right people" to tackle terrorism. His comments and recent calls from the National Black Police Association (NBPA) for recruits to boycott the Met "where racism is allowed to spread" come amid a widening divide between attitudes in Scotland and south of the border.

Paul Castledine, chair of Semper Scotland, which represents black and ethnic minority police employees north of the border, spoke out yesterday to clarify the stark differences in approach north and south of the border.

Speaking exclusively to The Herald, he said: "Having attended the NBPA conference in York and noted with regret the current situation in England and Wales, Semper Scotland wishes to make clear its own position regarding the encouragement it will give the Scottish public to join the police service. We have a positive and constructive relationship with Scottish police forces, Acpos and the Scottish Government and are confident of their 100% commitment to race equality.

"We would recommend to all of Scotland's communities that a career in the Scottish police will be rewarding and fulfilling. Scotland is not without its problems but we don't face the same sorts of challenges forces in England and Wales are currently dealing with." Semper will contact all the Scottish forces today to reassure them of its position.

Earlier this month Strathclyde Police revealed plans to "poach" ethnic minority officers from south of the border in an effort to improve representation on the force.

Officers have deliberately tried to lure delegates attending the annual conference of the NBPA in York this week to the Glasgow-based force. Semper Scotland, which is part of the NBPA national executive, is leading the attempt to recruit staff from south of the border and believes concerns about racism in the Met should not be allowed to affect the positive work being done north of the border.

Speaking at the conference Mr Dizaei said radicalisation and extremism were the "single biggest issue" facing Britain and the police "absolutely" needed positive discrimination to help tackle it.

He said such a move could "cause division" among white officers, but it would be for "the greater good". Mr Dizaei also criticised police vetting procedures as "obsolete".

The commander is currently suspended from duty, accused of misconduct. He denies the allegations.