E/CN.4/1996/72/Add.4 page 20 demonstrate the work of the force, operation of a recruiting mentor scheme aimed at providing potential applicants from ethnic minority groups with a realistic insight into a career in the police service, etc. 87. As to the training of police officers, an evaluation report was published in 1987 and recommended the following: that a new formula for modular courses should be put in place for the entire duration of the two-year training course, during which full-time periods of study are alternated with practical, structured training under supervision; that training on community and race relations, and sensitization to the human problems, should be provided along with technical and legal training; and that evaluation should be broader-based, with knowledge of community and race relations and the social skills necessary for maintaining order given the same value as technical knowledge. Following the success of the pilot project, the first 31-week modular course began at the national level in July 1989. 88. In addition, for over 20 years the Home Office has sponsored a seminar on race, community relations and policing at the Holly Royde Conference Centre, University of Manchester. During this period, hundreds of police officers, usually of the ranks of inspector up to chief superintendent, have been given an opportunity to discuss and reflect on current issues in community and race relations, listen to a variety of high-calibre guest speakers, and develop action plans to deal with particular issues or problems in their forces. The seminar aims to develop officers’ knowledge of current community and race relations issues including policy developments at the national and force levels, to examine how these developments affect operational policing and to “kick-start” action in forces to address specific community relations issues. 89. It should also be stated, however, that most police forces include community and race relations in their management and staff training courses. Furthermore, all police officers promoted to the rank of sergeant or inspector receive training when they are promoted or immediately beforehand. 90. Following the disturbances in some inner cities, the police have endeavoured to improve community and race relations, with Government support. Consultations have been held between the police and the community on questions of law and order in their districts. Committees of mixed membership, including municipal councillors, parliamentarians, community representatives, and senior and rank-and-file police officers have been created for this purpose. C. Measures to combat racist violence 91. The Government takes the various manifestations of racist violence very seriously and considers racist attacks and harassment to be among the worst expressions of racial hatred and intolerance. Following the recommendations made by the House of Commons Home Affairs Sub-Committee on Race Relations and Immigration, which investigated racist attacks and harassment in 1986, a Racial Attacks Group was created. The Group released a report in 1989 in which it gave detailed guidelines on the conduct to be followed not only by the police, but also by the social housing services and associations. The report was distributed to all police forces, accompanied by a circular