'You're at odds with the Home Sec': Ferrari clashes with top cop over taking the knee

24 May 2022, 09:19 | Updated: 24 May 2022, 10:00

Chief Constable says his officers can 'take a knee'

By Daisy Stephens

Nick Ferrari has clashed with a police chief over whether officers should take the knee in support of Black Lives Matter.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Sir Dave Thompson, vice chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Senior Responsible Officer for the new Police Race Action Plan, said the police was not "here to align or affiliate with a particular movement" but said officers could take the knee if the situation was appropriate and they were not politically motivated to do so.

His response put him at odds with the Home Secretary, who last year told LBC she did not agree with taking the knee and described the Black Lives Matter protests as "dreadful".

"We're here to improve and to look at policing," said Sir Dave, who is also the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, when Nick asked if police officers should take the knee.

We're not here to alight or affiliate with a particular movement, that's not what we're about."

Read more: Met officers 'cut underwear off menstruating autistic mixed-race teen during strip search'

Read more: Children as young as three months old can be racially biased, London council claims

"So they shouldn't take the knee?" Clarified Nick.

"The position I took in the West Midlands is that people have to judge what was right at the specific moment... we left it to officer discretion at the time, but it's not currently a thing that I think is going on in policing," he said.

"I'm not setting the rules because it's not a topical issue at the moment, actually."

Nick said: "You are Chief Constable.

"With respect, Sir, you are setting the rules for your own force."

Taking the knee became a symbol for the Black Lives Matter movement
Taking the knee became a symbol for the Black Lives Matter movement. Picture: Getty

"Our position is really clear," said Sir Dave.

"You're there to do a policing role and perform a policing activity, that has to be first and foremost."

However he said "in the community context" police officers have other responsibilities as well and should "make a judgement" about whether it was appropriate.

"So in some instances, Sir Dave, you would condone your officers taking the knee still?" Challenged Nick.

Read more: PM under pressure from Tories after being accused of lying after party pictures emerge

Read more: Govt blasted for 'disaster' Kabul withdrawal and 'betrayal' of allies in scathing report

Sir Dave said: "If it was in keeping with the environment and the event they were at, and they [didn't] seem to be acting politically... yes."

"Which puts you totally at odds with the home secretary," said Nick.

"Is that a problem?"

"I understand people have different views and thats fine," said the Chief Constable.

"The Race Action Plan... is broader and wider than this one issue."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nick Ferrari and caller Kevin don't see eye to eye in benefits debate

Nick Ferrari and caller Kevin don't see eye to eye in benefits debate

LBC reacts: King Charles will tell Macron there are 'no borders' between UK and France

LBC reacts: King Charles will tell Macron there are 'no borders' between UK and France

LBC callers are divided over proposed wealth tax

‘Preposterous’: LBC callers are divided over proposed wealth tax

Nick Ferrari

‘Lessons haven’t been learned’ following 7/7 London bombings

A new 'Labour' party, Nigel Farage, and shoplifting | LBC's best callers of the week

A new 'Labour' party, Nigel Farage, and shoplifting | LBC's best callers of the week

"What's the risk?" LBC caller Steve wants to give a new party a chance

"What's the risk?" LBC caller Steve wants to give a new party a chance

Nigel Farage takes your calls

Nigel Farage takes your calls with Nick Ferrari

Nick Ferrari caller

Caller Mark says the government has ‘destroyed’ the Labour Party

Caller Comp

LBC Callers react to Glastonbury IDF controversy

Nick Ferrari callers debate

Nick Ferrari callers go head-to-head over pro-Palestine protests

Nick Ferrari caller

Caller Martyn says the UK needs a ‘Trump-style figure’ in power

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed a vote on 'progressive' welfare reforms will take place on Tuesday.

Nick Ferrari struggles to keep a lid on the conversation with caller Craig about benefit claimants

Call the Commissioner

Call The Commissioner with Sir Mark Rowley

Nick Ferrari and caller Eve

Nick Ferrari and caller Eve go back and forth over the Middle East conflict

LBC caller Paula drives home the impact of PIP benefit cuts

LBC caller Paula drives home the impact of disability benefit cuts

'Iran has a democratic candidate, unlike Iraq...'

Iraqi caller explains why Iran-Iraq comparisons fall short