Senior GMP officers join in-depth discussion on Police Race Action Plan

Senior officers from Greater Manchester Police met with representatives of key Greater Manchester Panels for an in-depth discussion on the Police Race Action Plan.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson and Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes actively took part in the session at the Friends Meeting House in Manchester city centre with members of the Race Equality Panel, GM Equality Panel, Police and Crime Panel, GM Voluntary Sector Group, GM Youth Panel, GMP Independent Advisory Groups, and the Independent Ethics Committee.

CC Watson stated the importance of getting race right across all of the public sector but especially so with policing, given the unique powers held and the UK principle of policing by consent.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) published its Police Race Action Plan (Improving Policing for Black People) in May focused on improving trust and confidence in policing from Black and Black heritage communities.

The plan focuses on four key outcomes - to develop a police service that is 'not over protected, not over policed, involved and represented'.

Superintendent Rachael Harrison, GMP’s lead for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, said “Greater Manchester is very fortunate to have people volunteering their time, energy and commitment to work with the police to help us to better serve our communities.

"There was a wealth of experience and capability in the room and it's great to see some tangible and real actions and offers of support coming from the session, with shared commitment to help shape and deliver the improvements required to create an anti-racist police service, enabling GMP to keep communities safer and better protected from criminality."

Chief Constable Stephen Watson and Superintendent Rachael Harrison (right) with Elizabeth Cameron (chair of the GM Race Equality Panel) and Dr Angela Herbert MBE (director of IOTC-Solutions) - pic courtesy of @lizzieitis

Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor for policing, crime, criminal justice and fire, said: “Whilst trust and confidence among Black communities is low across all public services, it is particularly true for policing and the wider criminal justice system – this has to change.

"The Police Race Action Plan says that ‘if it can’t be explained it must be reformed’ and this is a principle we must hold ourselves to.

"I am pleased that Greater Manchester has put itself forward as a national lead on this work.

"We are lucky to have so many groups and panels in Greater Manchester that are willing to give their knowledge, time and expertise to help us on this journey and help lead the way.”