Support Needed from UK Home Secretary to Combat Police Racism, Report Warns

[Social Media]

 

A report from the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB) has highlighted the limited progress of a plan to combat police racism, warning that it will not result in meaningful change without full backing from the new home secretary. The police race action plan, initiated by police chiefs in 2020, aims to address prejudice within police forces, whether directed at officers or the public. However, the ISOB's latest findings indicate that the plan's effectiveness is hampered by a lack of government interest and support.

 

Abimbola Johnson, the chair of the ISOB, criticized the previous Conservative government for showing "no real interest" in the plan. This indifference left the responsibility of implementation to individual police forces. Johnson stressed that some forces do not prioritize anti-racism efforts because their leadership, including chief constables and police and crime commissioners (PCCs), do not support the initiative. She argued that a central government push is necessary to ensure that all 44 police forces work together to combat racism, compelling ambitious officers to commit to the plan to advance their careers.

 

Johnson also pointed to active obstructions by the previous government, including a review into police activism commissioned by Suella Braverman, which she said detracted from regular policing activities and negatively impacted the race action plan. The current iteration of the plan is set to end in March next year, and Johnson emphasized the need for a more visible and cohesive strategy.

 

The lack of awareness and engagement with the plan was evident during the National Black Police Association (NBPA) conference in October, where attendees were either unaware of the plan or unsure how to hold their forces accountable for its implementation. In June, the NBPA withdrew support for the plan, accusing police leaders of failing to fulfill promises of reform and allowing a "toxic" environment to harm the careers of black and Asian officers. The NBPA called for the reform program to be taken out of the hands of chief constables.

 

Johnson compared the public visibility and commitment to the race action plan with the violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy, which has seen high-profile campaigns and thoughtful discussions from police leaders about the importance of delivering on its aims. She noted the absence of similar messaging and dedication for the race action programme.

 

The ISOB recommends the establishment of metrics to assess police forces' progress on the race action plan, potentially overseen by the police inspectorate. A Home Office spokesperson responded to the report, stating, "Racism has no place in policing. Police forces must improve the culture as well as reflect the diverse communities they serve. This new government is committed to working with police and police staff to achieve a diverse workforce."

 

Credit: The Guardian 2024-07-16

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[herfiehandbag]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

The ISOB recommends the establishment of metrics to assess police forces' progress on the race action plan,

Ah yes metrics!

 

1) Black kids can continue to commit crime with effective impunity, '' cos they is oppressed innit".

 

2) Black kids can continue to kill other Black kids with impunity " cos it is their culture innit".

 

3) Black kids who rob and murder white kids are "reacting to a culture of institutional racism innit".

 

4) The most effective means of preventing stabbings, the threat of which is central to street crime, stop and search, is discrimination.

 

And so we move on.

[thaibeachlovers]

Given the UK needs all the cops it has, I'm not surprised the government is not interested in something that can only lead to resignations and lack of interest in policing as a career.

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

Ah yes metrics!

 

1) Black kids can continue to commit crime with effective impunity, '' cos they is oppressed innit".

 

2) Black kids can continue to kill other Black kids with impunity " cos it is their culture innit".

 

3) Black kids who rob and murder white kids are "reacting to a culture of institutional racism innit".

 

4) The most effective means of preventing stabbings, the threat of which is central to street crime, stop and search, is discrimination.

 

And so we move on.

You built a strawman and exposed your bias.

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Given the UK needs all the cops it has, I'm not surprised the government is not interested in something that can only lead to resignations and lack of interest in policing as a career.

I don’t think the UK needs racist cops.

 

Opinions differ.

[RichardColeman]

London is now only 37% white. The fact that London is the highest knife crime in the uk (35%) speaks volumes about the black and other ethnic community there.

[Nick Carter icp]

9 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

London is now only 37% white. The fact that London is the highest knife crime in the uk (35%) speaks volumes about the black and other ethnic community there.

 

   Those non White Londoners  would include people with a Thai Mother and British Father .

   Would be hypocritical if people with non White Children are complaining about the amount non White people 

[herfiehandbag]

6 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You built a strawman and exposed your bias.

Speak for yourself Chomper, speak for yourself.

[Nick Carter icp]

54 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

London is now only 37% white. 

 

 Actually :

 

White: 53.8% (2021) White British: 36.8% (2021)

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_London

 

   So why don't you go back and live in London an increase  the White percentage ?

   Like, White people leaving the UK and then complaining about not many White people being in the UK .

   

 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 7/16/2024 at 8:33 PM, RichardColeman said:

London is now only 37% white. The fact that London is the highest knife crime in the uk (35%) speaks volumes about the black and other ethnic community there.

I worked in a London Hospital for 10 years. English people were a minority. At the start Oz nurses on OE were the main ethnicity, but as they were agency they cost too much so the Government banned them from the NHS and imported African nurses instead, along with loads of Filipinos, mostly female but plenty guys as well.