As a black man, joining the police in the 80s made me question my sanity

Leroy Logan was shocked by the racism he encountered in the Metropolitan police. Things improved after the Stephen Lawrence inquiry - but sometimes it feels as if the bad old days are back

Growing up, we didn't feel as if the police were there to protect us. We were always fearful of the police; we couldn't walk around in large groups because that would attract them, and we were often subject to the sus" (suspected person") law.

When I joined the force in 1983, it came as a total surprise to my parents. I knew people from my background would see me as a sellout for joining the organisation that made us feel unsafe. A lot of my friends were very hostile towards me, whether they'd had experience with the police or not.