Six months after the launch of the Police Race Action Plan, West Yorkshire Police have reported significant strides in their mission to improve policing for Black communities. This comprehensive plan aims to address long-standing issues of over-policing and under-protection of Black people in the region.
Commitment to Change
Despite early successes, officials acknowledge there is still much work to be done. “We are committed to making real, lasting changes in our policing approach,” a spokesperson said. “Rebuilding trust and confidence within Black communities is a long-term goal, and we are dedicated to seeing it through.”
Key Actions and Achievements
Over the past three months, several notable actions have been undertaken:
- Representation:
- The Black Heritage Advisory Group has evaluated the “Our Black Workforce” survey, which highlights challenges faced by Black Police Officers and Staff nationwide. An action plan has been created to address these issues within West Yorkshire Police.
- Training on Black culture and history has been expedited, ensuring all Officers and Staff will complete it within two years, a year ahead of the initial schedule.
- Fair Policing:
- A new app is being trialled by Traffic Officers to record all vehicle stops, including the ethnicity of those involved. This initiative aims to identify and correct any racial disparities.
- Stop and Search training has been updated to include testimonials from Black community members, providing officers with insight into the personal impact of these encounters.
- Community Engagement:
- The Police Race Action Plan has been refined to better serve the needs of the Black community, particularly focusing on young people.
- Improvements are being made to the complaints process, with new literature being developed to clearly explain how to file a complaint and ensure it is handled fairly.
- Protection:
- Analysis has revealed that missing Black individuals are often graded as ‘medium risk’ compared to ‘high risk’ for white individuals in similar situations. Efforts are underway to understand and rectify this disparity to better serve missing Black people and their families.
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, West Yorkshire Police will intensify their efforts to engage with young Black people to understand their perspectives on the Police Race Action Plan. This includes co-developing an engagement strategy that prioritizes safety, inclusivity, and community influence in policing governance.
For further details on the Police Race Action Plan, to join the Independent Scrutiny and Advisory Group (ISAAG), or to obtain promotional materials, visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/race-action-plan.