New expert group launched to support Police Race Action Plan

A new expert group has been set up to combat racism and discrimination in policing.

Comprising lawyers, community leaders, communications specialists and academics, as well as current and former police officers and staff, the group of more than 50 experts will offer advice and guidance in relation to the Police Race Action Plan.

Yesterday, the group came together for the first time to learn more about the plan and contribute their specialist advice, guidance and feedback on its next steps. The initiative represents another way in which the plan is getting independent advice and expertise, as well as through its Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board.

Previously, the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board said the structure of the current Police Race Action Plan needed reconfiguring to achieve anti-racist aims.

Biggest coordinated effort ever

Led by T/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari, the plan is the biggest coordinated effort ever across every police force in England and Wales to improve trust and confidence in policing among Black communities.

The event heard from the likes of Dr Heydari and the former head of Counter Terrorism Policing Neil Basu, as well as about work to improve community relations by the Metropolitan Police’s neighbourhood team in Croydon.

There was also discussion on what the plan should focus on moving forward, which will be fed directly into the next iteration of the plan due for release this summer.

Dr Heydari said: “I am consistently blown away by the passion, support and ideas from our communities to support the Police Race Action Plan.

“The wealth of expertise that gathered in the room yesterday was remarkable and I cannot express enough my gratitude to those who came determined to drive positive change.

“I am determined to deliver meaningful reform for our communities and this new forum can really help us do that.”

Colin Burton, who will chair the national community reference group, added: “We have to do things differently if we want to deliver the ambitious vision outlined in the Police Race Action Plan.

“This means welcoming a new energy, ideas and approaches to how we do things. There was a vast amount of knowledgeable people in the room who want to help this plan succeed.

“Providing this knowledge with the right forum and platform to shape this plan can have enormous benefit to deliver meaningful change in policing.

“I want to play my own small part in delivering that.”

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