Minutes:
For the benefit of the new members of the Committee – a report was provided which provided them with a summary of the thematic areas considered by the Committee over the past few years.
This included the work undertaken in relation to body worn video; the use of Tasers; human tissue retention; the vetting of careers in the police service; management of large scale events; and the use of spit guards.
Black Lives Matter
Given recent developments on the international stage – the Chair asked that Police representatives provide the Committee with an update on the ongoing response to Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.
GMP were appalled by the event that had initially transpired in the USA and there was an understanding of the social movement that had built in response to this. The movement had now broadened beyond concerns about whether black and minority ethnic people are treated fairly by the police into a wider debate about treatment in society as a whole.
CC Ian Hopkins was the lead on the National Police Chiefs Council for Diversity and had formed part of a small group who had put together an official statement. The Statement had raised concerns about holding marches at a time of unprecedented health emergency issues – but given that government guidelines were in the process of being loosened at this time – GMP representatives had sought to talk to the organisers of the GM BLM protests to agree a best way to conduct marches in as safe a way as possible. Therefore, when CC Hopkins wrote a statement to all GMP staff, he elected to omit the criticism of holding these protests in the current climate.
There had been disturbances resulting in violence and civil disorder in some parts of the country, including attacks on police officers. The agreed approach in Manchester however resulted in no arrests, with the nature of the police presence being well received and police observers providing positive feedback. It was expected that some further protests would take place, though not at the scale of the initial march.
A race equality body had already been in the pipeline – but given the events, the arrangements for this were now being accelerated, with a task and finish group taking place to help move towards the establishment of the body more quickly. It was also intended that a quarterly race equality report would be produced by GMP taking into account statistics on the use of force.
There was an understandable rise in anger within the communities after the international events, and this had been approached in a diligent ethical manner. There was also a need however, to take note of how GMP staff themselves were feeling following the incidents, and this made for a more complicated picture. These were times of heightened tension that street officers had to deal with on a day-in day-out basis – how could open, honest and meaningful conversations take place without a reluctance to take on board critical feedback – this with particularly pertinent in relation to BAME staff, who may also be dealing with the disproportionate impacts of Covid-19 seen in the community.
There was concern about a far right reaction to the marches taking place with counter-protests – and some seeing it as their ‘responsibility’ now to protect statues and memorials.
With all of the above in mind, assistance from the Ethics Committee going forward would be welcome. Given the need for expedited discussion on the topic – it was suggested that this could take place as a dial in call for those available initially rather than the delays inherent in the establishment of a formal sub-committee.
Comments and Questions
It was commented that having an unarmed police force in the UK was welcome – as the proliferation of guns on the persons of both the police and the public in the USA led to heightened tensions fuelled by fear and suspicion.
A question was raised about how Covid-19 had impacted upon decisions taken and would the policing approach change if the ‘R’ number was to rise? It was stated that the marches were clearly in breach of the social distancing conditions at that time, however, an approach in which working with the organisers to appeal for social distancing at the events was the most cohesive approach – this paid off with most at the march wearing protective masks. With regard to the R-value – the experts would need to be listened to, but regardless of the R rating at the time of the protests – they were inevitable regardless of the approach.
A question was raised about the collection of data for the race equality panel. Would there be a benefit in comparing this data against those of benchmark authorities? It was advised that the data would be scrupulously reviewed to ensure it was sound, and the work of other authorities would be monitored to see if it was comparable.
There was concern that within a few months the incident would be essentially forgotten. What could be done about inequality seen in terms of GMP – and how the ethics committee could continue to consider these issues to ensure equality in the long-term. There was a need to be a friend and not an enemy of the community - and there was a role for the ethics committee in looking at the inequalities that could exacerbate a combative atmosphere. Were levels of BAME applications to the police force improving? Moreover, what could be done to encourage this if not? It was considered that these were issues that may need to be revisited.
It was advised that the proportion of BAME officers had doubled from 4 to 8% - so it was moving in the right direction – however, this was still only half of the 16% BAME population within GM.
It was queried whether there were other metrics that could provide value other than recruitment alone in undertaking evaluation. These could include, career progression and staff retention.
RESOLVED/-
1. That the Chair would liaise with GMP officers in regards to ethics committee advice on Black Lives Matter protests and associated issues.