Merseyside Police pledges support to black communities following launch of National Race Action Plan

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy has pledged her continued commitment to ensuring that Merseyside Police is an anti-racist police force and that Black communities in Merseyside are involved and represented in policing and not under protected or over policed.

The pledge comes following the publication of today’s national Police Race Action Plan (Improving Policing for Black People).

Chief Constable Kennedy says she understands the history and the impact of racism across policing can have and the harm that this has caused to communities and colleagues across the UK is clear.

Chief Constable Kennedy, said:

“We know that policing, like society, is not free of racial discrimination, bias and disproportionality. It still exists in some policies and processes, and we are taking action to change this. We collectively want to improve, we want to progress, we want to be better. Progress has been made, but we know we need to do more. We are committed to this and this is something I am passionate about and I know that my predecessors were also invested in.

From the wider criminal justice system, to education, health, and public and private sector organisations there is a responsibility for us all to review our processes and ways of working to ensure that our Black communities are treated with respect and dignity and are open to the same opportunities.

The time for talking and thinking is long gone and we now have to demonstrate the work we have been doing, and will continue to review and develop, to ensure our Black communities are not disadvantaged.

The Police Race Action Plan focuses on policing’s relationship with Black people and communities because the racial disparities affecting Black people in the criminal justice system and working in policing are the most acute.

Chief Constable Kennedy, continued:

“Within Merseyside Police I am determined that officers and staff from across the organisation work together and have open conversations so we can drive and embed change. We need to have an environment where proper debate can take place and where people have the ability to speak and be heard so we can learn, grow and move forward together.

I have already held a number of Listening in Action sessions with my officers and staff and have more planned in the coming months, where people can talk about how they believe the organisation can become more inclusive, whilst identifying outdated practices that could impact on our desire to ensure that the force is an inclusive organisation.”

You can read Merseyside Police’s full seven-year plan here.

The Chief Constable also says that she is looking for contributors to share their views:

“We want to work with our stakeholders and communities, and our officers and staff, to drive and embed meaningful, long-term change. To help us two national surveys are being launched. The first, which is launched today, gives our stakeholders, members of the public, or other organisations, the chance to contribute their views to help shape the Police Race Action Plan and its ongoing implementation. We would value your input. You can take part via the link here.