Tuesday 24 May 2022
Police forces in England and Wales have launched an action plan aimed at tackling discrimination
Black people are nine times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people.
Now there'll be mandatory training for all officers, including black history.
Surrey Police’s Inclusion Lead Nev Kemp says they must “really understand how and why our own behaviours, as well as our systems, impact on our diverse communities and take action to rectify it”.
Full Statement:
Surrey Police Deputy Chief Constable
and Inclusion Lead, Nev Kemp, said: “We accept that people from
culturally diverse backgrounds, particularly Black people, are
disproportionately impacted by how we police. Our data supports this. We
must acknowledge this and really understand how and why our own
behaviours, as well as our systems, impact on our diverse communities
and take action to rectify it.
“This is a landmark moment for
policing. We wholeheartedly support the introduction of this plan and
will use it to drive real change for our communities and force.
“We must be clear that stating that racism and discrimination exists
is not the same as characterising policing or all our officers, staff,
and volunteers as racist. The majority would assert that they would not
consciously tolerate racism and should anyone fall short they are
robustly dealt with.
“This plan is about the fundamentals of how policing is built and the
disproportionate impact this has on culturally diverse members of
society. Data shows us disparities we cannot explain, and this cannot
continue. Our own plan will set out local activity to tackle this,
ensure we stay on track, remain accountable and ultimately deliver a
Surrey police service that benefits us all.”
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, said: “We
have made progress over recent years, but even now many of our policies
are unintentionally biased and can be discriminatory against people from
culturally diverse backgrounds. This impacts on the service we provide
and can break down trust in us.
“In 2020 we launched Our Commitments, a
series of promises to ensure that the county is, and feels, safe. This
safety – and feeling of safety - needs to apply to all and we know that
this is not the case. As a service we have not moved forward quickly
enough nor have we formally acknowledged the impact of racism in
policing. If this does not change, it will widen the divide with some of
our communities and, in Surrey, will go against the commitments we made
as an organisation.
“I am proud to serve as Surrey’s Chief
Constable and if my legacy is that this generation of officers, staff
and volunteers are part of an anti-racist organisation delivering a
service that is without bias, then we will have made a real difference”.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:33 pm
