Race and policing

Race and policing programme

In 2021/22 we started a new programme of activity which will complement and build on our previous and ongoing inspection work.

We will inspect policing and police forces against their commitment and contribution towards:

• eliminating discrimination;
• advancing equality of opportunity; and
• fostering good relations with black and ethnic minority communities.

The inspection programme will produce findings, recommendations and reports that identify areas and opportunities for improvement to government, national policing bodies, force leadership, and partners.

The programme will identify new ideas while also seeking to build on and compliment existing work and historical recommendations.

We will identify where and when further work may be required to explore new areas, existing areas in greater detail, or to revisit and review progress.

Our thematic inspections

We initially plan to carry out four thematic inspections as part of this programme. The first two are published and referenced below. We will update this page when new information is available on the other two inspections which will look at organisational and workforce disparity issues, and community confidence and engagement

Published reports

Race and Policing: A review of the police service’s leadership and governance arrangements for race-related matters – August 2023

This review considers the effectiveness of the national leadership and governance arrangements that relate to race and policing

Race and policing: An inspection of race disparity in police criminal justice decision-making – August 2023

This report explores race disparity in the police forces selected for fieldwork, and in particular how well they understand, scrutinise and communicate their relevant work.

The programme’s terms of reference

We will answer the question: How effectively are the police responding to race-based inequalities and disparities that negatively affect community confidence?

The following themes will be explored:

1. Where within all of policing does racial disparity exist?
2. How and where does disparity vary between communities?
3. Can disparity and variation be explained by policing and if not, what might be behind it?
4. Are issues and opportunities understood within policing, and supported by evidence and data?
5. How effectively does the police service scan and monitor disparities within their organisations?
6. How effectively does the police engage with BAME communities?
7. How effective is national leadership in directing and setting standards in terms of race and policing?
8. Is there suitable focus, leadership and governance to effect positive change at a local level?
9. Are forces complying with relevant legislation and guidance?
10. Is the culture of policing and police forces explored and understood in relation to how this impacts upon matters of race.
11. Does culture support engagement, transparency, and inclusivity?
12. Is policing actively learning and adapting i.e. taking on recommendations and implementing new policy or strategy?
13. What are the barriers to speedy progress?
14. Where has policing been successful and what are the factors evident in success?