The essence of fair policing, underscored by the principle of procedural justice, is foundational to fostering trust and cooperation between the public and the police. It's a simple yet profound concept: when people perceive policing decisions as fair and officers as positively engaging with communities, it enhances trust. It strengthens the social fabric, encouraging adherence to the law. However, the path to achieving this ideal is fraught with challenges, particularly when it comes to the disproportionate impact of police decisions on Black and Asian communities.
Disproportionality in policing decisions does not merely signal potential bias; it undermines the very legitimacy and consent-based model of British policing. It is a fundamental breach of the social contract between police and the public.
The historical and contemporary inability to provide clear explanations for this disproportionality only fuels suspicions of discrimination, severing the delicate threads of trust between the police.
Black and asian communities
The importance of understanding and scrutinising the police's use of powers, particularly those with life-altering consequences like arrest and detention, cannot be overstated. Yet, despite acknowledgements of the need to enhance racial justice within policing frameworks and various reviews recommending action, the journey towards tangible progress remains painstakingly slow. The Lammy review, for instance, was a significant step in highlighting racial disparities within the criminal justice system, but it lacked specific directives for policing. Similarly, the National Police Chiefs Council. Police Race Action Plan's commitment to an 'explain or reform' approach has yet to materialise into actionable change.
This bone-aching inertia is not just a failure of implementation but reflects a deeper lack of leadership and commitment at government and senior policing levels. The Equality Act 2010 and subsequent mandates have outlined clear duties for the police to eliminate discrimination and foster equality. Yet, there's a glaring absence of any credible or coherent strategy to address racial disparities in policing decisions. The piecemeal performative and cosmetic approach, focusing primarily on areas like stop and search, falls short of addressing the systemic nature of these disparities. Moreover, the underutilisation of community scrutiny mechanisms, as received by Black Thrive, further exacerbates the issue.
While there are glimpses of positive initiatives like custody scrutiny panels, a comprehensive and consistent framework for community-led scrutiny across all aspects of policing remains elusive. The disparity in police decision-making and its unchecked progression into broader criminal justice outcomes for ethnic minority groups call for an urgent and holistic reevaluation of policing practices.
The call for transparency, accountability, and community engagement in policing is not new. Yet, the persistent gaps in data recording and analysis, coupled with a reluctance to fully embrace community scrutiny, underscore a systemic reluctance to confront these disparities head-on.
The acknowledgement by various governmental and policing bodies of the operational necessity to address racial justice marks a recognition of the problem on one level. Still, it falls significantly short of the concerted action required to dismantle the entrenched biases within the system.
As we navigate through the complex landscape of policing and racial justice, the need for a unified, strategic approach that goes beyond tokenistic measures is clear.
Establishing an independent body to oversee and scrutinize policing decisions, as recommended by consultations and reviews, represents a crucial step forward. Only through genuine collaboration, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to reform can we hope to rebuild trust and ensure that policing by consent is a reality for all communities, irrespective of their racial or ethnic backgrounds.
In essence, the journey towards equitable policing is not merely about rectifying disparities in decision-making. It's about fundamentally transforming the ethos and practices of policing to reflect the principles of fairness, accountability, and respect for all individuals.
The path forward demands more than acknowledgement; it requires an actionable commitment to change, spearheaded by a coalition of government, policing bodies, and communities working together to forge a future where justice is truly blind to race.
