The Metropolitan Police in London has recently unveiled their Race Action Plan, aimed at rebuilding trust with the city’s black community. This initiative comes after the acknowledgment that the community has been let down by the police force over a number of years. The plan includes a commitment to reset how stop and search procedures are conducted in London, with input from black communities to ensure fairness and transparency.
Building Trust Through Accountability
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley emphasized the importance of acknowledging past mistakes and working towards real change. He stated, “There remains a long way to go and there is a lot more work to do, but the Race Action Plan is a step in the right direction.” By seeking to improve how the ethnicity of drivers is recorded during vehicle stops and implementing external scrutiny for greater transparency, the Met Police aims to address concerns about discriminatory practices.
One of the key aspects of the plan is the overhaul of the Met’s policy on intimate searches of children, with a focus on ensuring that such searches are only conducted when absolutely necessary and proportionate. This move aims to prevent instances like the highly distressing stop and search of black athletes Bianca Williams and Ricardo Dos Santos, which resulted in the dismissal of two constables for gross misconduct.
Addressing Past Failures
Trust in the Met Police was further eroded by incidents such as the strip search of a 15-year-old black girl, known as Child Q, while she was on her period at her school in Hackney in 2020. The Met has acknowledged the need to better represent the communities they serve and has committed to recruiting and retaining a more diverse workforce. All new recruits are being trained to understand the experiences of black Londoners and other communities across the capital.
Disparities in the Met’s misconduct system are also being addressed, with new workshops aimed at improving promotion rates for black officers. Since 2021, pass rates for black officers have increased from 68% to 75%, indicating progress towards a more inclusive and equitable system within the force. Updates on the progress of the Race Action Plan will be provided twice yearly to ensure accountability and transparency.
Striving for a Truly Inclusive Organization
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley emphasized the importance of the police force becoming a truly anti-racist and inclusive organization. He stated, “Black Londoners have been let down by the Met over many years, and while we continue to take steps in the right direction, there remains a long way to go and a lot more work to do.” Action, not just words, will be crucial in rebuilding trust in the service, and the focus must remain on delivering real change that is tangible and impactful for both communities and the workforce.
The Met Police is committed to changing its systems, processes, culture, and leadership to address issues of disproportionality and build a service that truly delivers for all of London. Collaboration with communities that have been let down in the past is key to this transformation. The goal is to strengthen the relationship with black Londoners, whether they are members of the public or colleagues within the force, and to renew the principle of policing by consent.
In conclusion, the Met Police’s Race Action Plan represents a significant step towards rebuilding trust with London’s black community. By addressing past failures, implementing accountability measures, and striving for inclusivity, the force is demonstrating a commitment to positive change. It is now crucial for the Met to follow through on its promises and continue working towards a more equitable and just policing system for all residents of London.
