The Metropolitan Police has launched a comprehensive Race Action Plan aimed at rebuilding trust with London’s black communities, which have expressed feelings of being “let down” by the force over the years. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged that there is still significant work to be done, stating that the plan represents “a step in the right direction.” This initiative incorporates feedback from black community members and officers within the Met, focusing on several key areas of reform.
One of the major components of the plan is the introduction of a new stop and search charter designed to improve how these procedures are implemented. This comes in response to tensions surrounding past stop and search incidents, notably the treatment of Team GB athlete Bianca Williams and her partner, Portuguese sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos. In October 2023, two police constables were dismissed after a disciplinary panel found their conduct during a “highly distressing” stop and search to be gross misconduct.
Another significant aspect of the action plan addresses the policy on intimate searches of children. The revised policy aims to enhance the threshold and oversight for such searches, ensuring they are conducted only when absolutely necessary and proportionate. This move is particularly relevant in light of the controversy surrounding the strip search of a 15-year-old black girl, known as Child Q, during her menstrual period at a Hackney school in 2020.
The Met Police is also committed to improving the treatment of black victims of crime. Proposed measures include utilizing new imaging technology to identify bruising on victims and enhancing cultural awareness and empathy among officers. Efforts will be made to collaborate with partner organizations to reduce delays within the criminal justice system, aiming to create a more supportive environment for all victims.
In a bid to better reflect the diversity of London, the Met is focusing on recruiting and retaining a more varied workforce. All new recruits will receive training to understand the experiences of black Londoners and other communities. Additionally, disparities in the misconduct system are being addressed, with workshops aimed at improving promotion rates for black officers, which have increased from 68% to 75% since 2021.
Sir Mark emphasized that “action, not words,” is essential for restoring trust, indicating that the force is committed to transforming its systems, processes, culture, and leadership. He expressed determination to strengthen the relationship between the Met and black Londoners, reinforcing the principle of policing by consent and ensuring that real change is visible and felt within the communities they serve.
