Fairness and Equality Panel – February 2022

The latest Police Fairness and Equality Challenge panel meeting took place on Thursday 3^rd Feb 2022.

It focusses on addressing the issues summarised in the statement from new Independent Chair of the Police Scrutiny Panel Abimbola Johnson as “Black people have been disproportionately affected by policing for decades, as reflected in the reams of statistics and reports over the years. Many of us have had, and know of others, who have had personal experiences with the police that have been unsatisfactory, unfair or even harmful.” 

Stats from Essex Police: Stop and search in Essex Police (https://www.police.uk/pu/your-area/essex-police/performance/stop-and-search/?tc=100 )

It also discussed hate crime issues, again there was an increase in racial motivated attacks, with a high unsolved rate.  This is now being analysed by a senior officer to establish the reasons for the high unsolved rate and address this.

Recruitment drive was addressed, including the work to increase the recruitment of minority ethnic groups to ensure that Essex Police reflect the community it serves.  At the moment, there are only 148 black police officers out of 3625 police officers in Essex or about 4%.

The meeting was Chaired by Chafford resident Rev Nims Obunge and was attended by two of Essex senior black female officers and Ch/Supt Jenny Barnett and Supt Naomi Edwards; other community leaders such as Cllr Bukky Okunade, Neil Woodbridge and ex-Thurrock BME Group.

Everyone from Thurrock’s minority communities are invited to join these meetings. The next meeting will be held in March/April. Please contact admin@thurrockbme.org.uk for more information.

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Below is a cross section of attendees: