Romani Roots

Surely the two words GYPSY and GAVVER don't marry, do they?

One would rarely associate the two even conversing let alone working together to change the public view of Travellers - but these days this belief is gradualling changing.

The fact is, wether we like or not, the Police are not the enemy we may have been led to believe. You have to remember that for the most part they are just enforcing the law. after all that's their job.

That's not to say that some Police are not racist and bigoted, I'm sure more then one member could tell a tale of how  the police have badly treated them, and all because they are Gypsies.

If you had asked me just a few years ago  wether I would be sitting across the table, having a coffee with a Gavver, I'd have told you, very politely, that you wern't comlpletely sane!

But at the beginning of the year, myself, and other members of ROMANI ROOTS were invited to and attended the North Worcestershire Diversity Steerage Group meeting at a local venue.

This was not the first time I had met Doug Turland, we had previously met at a PACT meeting a few years before. Only he and a very polite Asian lady had spoken to me the entire evening, the other participants had been deciedly "chilly" and some had completely ignored me! 

Suprisingly ,we were agreement about alot of issues at that PACT meeting, and we found ourselves agreeing once again at the Steerage meeting.

Doug is the only policeman I have met that actually admitted that some police have acted inappropiately when dealing with Gypsy and Traveller. He frequently questions about enough sites and amneties when Traveller or Gypsy appear. As an individual, and on behalf of the force, Doug has made great efforts to appreciate our Ethnicity and support the Gypsy and Traveller within Worcestershire.

Doug kindly and very willingly gave us an interview, please read it below and remember that in order to move forward and gain the rights we deserve as a race sometimes we should "court the devil," rather then "fight" him.   

   DOUG TURLAND, Diversity officer, (CENTRE) with members of ROMANI ROOTS   

"I am a serving police officer within the North Worcestershire Division of West Mercia Constabulary. Firstly I'd like to thank you for the opportunity of writing on the Romani Roots website and hope this is another step towards improving the relationship between Romany people and the police"

"Historically this relationship has often been difficult as Romany and police have been in situations that have led to confrontation.  It is inevitable that there will always be occasions when police officers will, in their role of upholding the law, have to perform tasks that directly oppose the wishes of any travelling community. There is no excuse for officers treating people unfairly or behaving in an unprofessional manner regardless of circumstances or situations"

"Unfortunately I have heard of a number of examples when police officers have been over zealous or made mistakes when dealing with Travellers from all backgrounds, I hope that these examples become fewer and far less frequent in the future."

"Recently there has been an emphasis on building bridges between the police and all minority communities. This may have been hindered with Romany and other Travellers as police officers often have little or no unerstanding of culture or the issues that affect travelling people and it takes time for this understanding to develop."

"West Mercia are working hard to ensure our officers improve their knowledge through Diversity training and awareness sessions. Sergeant Allie Webster has been appointed as Gypsy and Travelller Officer, this is a new role and I know he hopes to use his unique postion in the force to educate colleagues whilst influencing policy and procedure around policing unlawful encampments." 

"In North Worcestershire we have a Diversity Steering Group that consults and advises on policing issues. We are fortunate to include both Romany and Traveller representation within this group. There is a permanent invitation for any other Gypsies or Travellers to join and ensure we hear the opinion of all who would like to contirbute."

Doug Turland

North Worcestershire Diversity Co-ordinator