“How can Buddhist police officers use force? The typical view in Buddhism is complete non-violence, but I look at it as non-aggression.
“I do not believe in killing, maiming, or hurting someone because of anger, retribution, or revenge, but if I needed to use force on someone in order to reduce someone else's suffering, to protect someone else or myself, I believe I can do it.”
He admitted it was a “contested issue in some Buddhist circles” but pointed out that many members of the group are backroom staff rather than frontline officers.
Mr Watts has been a practicing Buddhist for four years but felt “isolated” so posted a message on his forces’ internal website asking if there were any other fellow believers out there, and was inundated with responses.
He said he had not been discriminated against for his beliefs but thought that other Buddhists in policing felt “very much in the minority” and were reluctant to go public.
“I am aware that potential members have experienced some mocking in a playful way through a lack of understanding more than outright discrimination. I myself have had the odd comment but again not maliciously.”
Mr Watts believes the new group – which held its first Annual General Meeting in Plymouth last week – will help by providing support to members and sharing knowledge.
He went on: “In simple terms, if staff are able to be themselves in the workplace then their performance will increase. This group is a start.
“The force also has mechanisms in to canvas the opinions of minority groups when considering change. In the long term I would like to open up practices such as meditation classes to all officers and staff in the interest of health and well-being.”
There are already police associations for followers of other religions, such as Muslims, Christians and even Pagans - who came to notice when it emerged they were allowed time off for the summer solstice and Hallowe’en.
Mr Watts said his members did not follow one particular tradition of Buddhism and so would not all want to take the same festivals off work, however, nor were there any plans to create shrines or Buddha groves in police stations.
In total it is estimated that there are just 150,000 Buddhists – who believe in gaining spiritual knowledge about the true nature of life and do not worship gods – in Britain.
But as well as gaining popularity among police officers, Buddhism is also one of the fastest-growing religions in jails.
The number of Buddhists behind bars rose from 226 in 1997 to 1,737 a decade later, with experts believing that meditation can help prisoners cope with being locked up while spiritual development can stop them re-offending.
