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Like many, today I read the Mayor of London’s Action Plan. I have read the comments by our Commissioner, acknowledging that there is racism within the police. Stop and Search has been in the limelight as always, it’s an incredibly emotive subject.
Do I believe that the police is institutionally racist? Honestly? No.
Do I believe there are members of the organisation who are racist? Yes, it would be naive to think otherwise bearing in mind the number of people we have in our workforce. Do I believe it gets called out? Yes.
Do I believe there are members of the organisation who are racist? Yes, it would be naive to think otherwise bearing in mind the number of people we have in our workforce. Do I believe it gets called out? Yes.
I don’t like the term ‘BAME’ because I feel that that puts all people who are not white in the same category. I personally think that all cultures have different challenges when it comes to recruitment and their experiences with police interactions are completely different.
I, personally, believe that the wider issue is societal. We need to be delving deeper into the worries and concerns that people have about joining the police. Why do they feel they can’t? Why do they feel they shouldn’t? We need to advertise ourselves more honestly.
My Mum told me a story some years ago. She was walking home from work at 2am. She was alone. She was aware that there was someone across the road walking in the same direction. She wasn’t afraid at all, just aware of their presence.
The person approached my Mum. He said, I just wanted to speak with you because I didn’t want you to be afraid that I was here. My Mum asked why and he said, because it’s 2am and I’m a black man walking near you, I just don’t want you to feel afraid, I’m no threat to you.
My Mum explained she felt no threat from him, told him to not be so silly and they walked together and talked until it was her time to turn off.
That man didn’t know Mum was a police officer, he just saw a white woman and assumed his presence would frighten her. This man may have had negative experiences with the police, but I think it’s unlikely that was the catalyst for this response.
That kind man, felt that he would be seen as threat, for no other reason than he was black. Societal issues have created that. This issue is bigger than the police. As a society, we need to make everyone feel equal, make everyone feel safe, make sure everyone knows they matter.
