Independent Scrutiny & Oversight Board

The latest acknowledgement by a senior figure in policing that the police force is institutionally racist is a positive development. ISOB Interim Chair, Nick Glynn, writes that while acknowledgement is a step forward, the need for decisive action is paramount.?

Our Chair, Abimbola Johnson, joins #TheHearing podcast to discuss the Police Race Action Plan. In this episode, she speaks with Yasmin Sheikh about her role, the importance of accountability in policing, and the steps being taken towards meaningful change. Listen now: ?? Apple – https://lnkd.in/eR_p937a ?? Spotify – https://lnkd.in/eKahpUVb

The Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board welcomes the continued focus and funding for the Police Race Action Plan and the commitment from Chief Constables to extend the programme for an additional year. This extension of the Police Race Action Plan (“PRAP”) has proven necessary after slow progress and an initial lack of traction in delivery against policing’s anti-racism goal. PRAP was announced four-and-a-half years ago and sadly many community members, internal and external to policing, continue to report that policing does not feel different in its impact upon them; in some cases, that their experiences have worsened. ?Creating an anti-racist police service is a complex and vital endeavour requiring sustained effort, resources, and accountability. We are encouraged by the inclusion of recommendations from the ISOB’s most recent annual report in the 2025/26 priorities. Specifically, the focus on embedding anti-racist policy and practice, developing a maturity matrix for measuring progress, and transitioning key activities to long-term structures, which are crucial steps towards creating a legacy of systemic change. The ISOB will continue to: ?? Provide oversight: We will scrutinise the implementation of the 2025/26 priorities, ensuring that the tools, policies, and processes being developed are effective, measurable, and aligned with the Plan’s vision. ?? Hold policing to account: We will assess how the proposed maturity matrix and performance measures deliver tangible progress in addressing racial disparities and building trust within Black communities. ?? Engage stakeholders: The ISOB will work collaboratively with the PRAP central team, the NBPA, civil society groups, community organisations, and members of the public to amplify voices from communities most affected by systemic racism. ?? Report transparently: We will continue to publish independent progress assessments. While we recognise the significant strides made, there is still much work to be done to ensure the Police Race Action Plan delivers meaningful and lasting change. Building trust and confidence among Black communities in policing requires not just structural changes but also cultural shifts across every level of the police service. In the last few years, we have seen pockets of good work, sparks of commitment and progress. These have primarily been driven by hardworking individuals and have landed best where they have received proper backing and support from local leadership. We have also been frustrated by delays in achieving simple and logical steps to get work underway. We call on all stakeholders, including the Home Office, civil society, and policing leaders, to maintain momentum and work together to ensure the long-term success of this Plan. The ISOB remains committed to playing its part in supporting and challenging the delivery of the Police Race Action Plan to ensure it meets its objectives of building an anti-racist police service.

#ICYMI The IOPC recently published its Race Discrimination Report. This important report consolidates a body of evidence from over 300 IOPC investigations and issues a clear call for change. Alongside it, the IOPC has introduced updated guidelines for handling allegations of discrimination across all protected groups, as well as a toolkit to support complaint handlers. A meaningful step towards greater fairness and accountability.

Listen to ISOB Chair, Abimbola Johnson, speaking with Richie Brave on BBC Radio 1Xtra Talks about the police shooting of Chris Kaba and the future of police accountability. ?https://lnkd.in/e6w2kq_z (interview begins at 18:15)

Listen to ISOB Chair, Abimbola Johnson, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme following the verdict in the Chris Kaba case. You can hear the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eUmXWYtP

In June 2023, around 60 people gathered in Penrith for the annual N8 PRP Policing Innovation Forum to discuss research, activism and innovative projects related to the NPCC’s Police Race Action Plan. Representatives from academia, police, policy organisations, non-profits, and local government participated in panel and group discussions, sharing experiences and best practice, identifying knowledge gaps, and finding new opportunities for collaboration. More than Minutes created a record of the day’s discussion. Image credit: Becky Bryson www.beckybryson.com and Holly Langley www.morethanminutes.co.uk

The Anthony Walker Foundation was established in 2006 after the racially motivated murder of Anthony in Huyton, just outside of Liverpool. Anthony’s family and friends did not want his murder to be another statistic and wanted his name to live on with a positive, lasting legacy. We're spotlighting contributors to our latest annual report. Discover insights from The Anthony Walker Foundation and other contributors in our latest report: https://lnkd.in/eFSuyW4z

In its 2022 report, Forgotten Voices: Policing, Stop and Search and the Perspectives of Black Children, Crest Advisory found that trust in the police by Black people aged 10 to 18 was the lowest of any ethnic group and was even lower among Black Caribbean children. Crest's findings support one of our main recommendations in our latest report, which is that the national Police Race Action Plan should improve its outreach to external stakeholders, especially Black people under 25. This will help the programme demonstrate more effectively how this engagement has influenced the Plan. We're spotlighting contributors to our latest annual report. Discover insights from Crest Advisory and other contributors in our latest report: https://lnkd.in/eFSuyW4z

Crest Advisory are crime and justice specialists - equal parts research, strategy and communications. Police forces, tech companies, devolved authorities and public inquiries all play a part in building a safer, more secure society. As the UK’s only consultancy with a crime and justice focus, they’re as much of a blend as the sector itself. We're spotlighting contributors to our latest annual report. Discover insights from Crest Advisory? and other contributors in our latest report: https://lnkd.in/eFSuyW4z