Application of Equality Act to prevent systemic racism

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Dear Independent Office for Police Conduct,

I am concerned that the police are reviewing complaints and their actions as just an operational matter. I am concerned that senior officers are looking at complaints and incidents through the lens of assessing individual officer misconduct rather than looking properly at the systems that bring officers into areas of conflict and the training given to those officers in avoiding and de-escalating of conflict.

This leads to the police being dismissive of claims of racial profiling, aggression, use of hand cuffs etc, which in turn results in a loss of public trust.

There have been a number of recent complaints about police operations against normal black people going about their daily lives. The Equality act Defines racism as in essence something whereby the affected party feels that they are being targeted and discriminated against because of a protected characteristic (this applies whether the perpetrator is doing it accidentally or not).

These cases are causing public concern, so I would like to know the following:

1. I would appreciate it if you could confirm that the IOPC use the Equality Act as the central reference document for any complaint which involves perceived racism and that you look at the systems and the training given to police officers involved and not just an aspect of the individual complaint or elements of misconduct.

2. I would also like to know if the IOPC has ever liaised with the London metropolitan police on how they have implemented the Equality Act into their policies e.g. Stop and Search policy so that it complies with the Equality Act. Has the IOPC ever reviewed the police to see that their policies and training is in Accordance with the Equality Act and that all officers are aware of this Act? Please note this does not mean not stopping people, it just means that proper respect is given to people and circumstances when they are stopped and that no one is left traumatised.

Yours faithfully,

james mclean

!Request Info, Independent Office for Police Conduct

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!Request Info, Independent Office for Police Conduct

Dear Mr Mclean

Thank you for your email requesting information. This is being considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). We will now consult with the relevant department to gather the response to your request.

We propose to respond to you on or before the 7 August 2020 in line with the timescales prescribed by the FOIA.

While we are aiming to complete your request within that timeframe, it is possible that our response will be delayed as a result of our current working arrangements under the COVID-19 outbreak. We will keep you updated should we be unable to respond by the due date.

If you have any questions about this request please contact us. Please remember to quote reference number 1008509 in any future correspondence about this matter.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information & Data Protection Team
Independent Office for Police Conduct
PO Box 473
Sale
M33 0BW

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!Request Info, Independent Office for Police Conduct

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Dear Mr Mclean

Please find attached our response to your request. Please quote our reference 1008509 in any further correspondence.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information & Data Protection Team
Independent Office for Police Conduct
PO Box 473
Sale
M33 0BW

0300 020 0096

www.policeconduct.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter at: @policeconduct 
Find out how we handle your personal data.
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