A recent report has highlighted the slow and inconsistent progress made by the police in addressing racism, five years after the launch of the Police Race Action Plan following George Floyd’s murder in 2020. The Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB), responsible for monitoring the PRAP, expressed concerns that advancements have been primarily reliant on individual efforts rather than a collective commitment from police leadership.
Only six out of the 44 police forces covered by the PRAP have publicly acknowledged the presence of institutional racism, as outlined in the ISOB report. The chairwoman of ISOB, Abimbola Johnson, drew parallels between the current pace of reforms and the slow response seen after the Macpherson inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993, which exposed institutional racism within the Metropolitan Police.
Statistics from 2024 reveal that Black individuals were disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, with Black men being 2.4 times more likely to be arrested and Black people 3.7 times more likely to be stopped and searched compared to their white counterparts.
Ms. Johnson emphasized the need for structural accountability within policing to fulfill the commitment made five years ago to enhance outcomes for Black communities. She urged government and law enforcement to prioritize institutional change over individual efforts to prevent reform from stalling once again.
Chief Constable Sarah Crew from Avon and Somerset Police stressed that acknowledging institutional racism is just the beginning and called for tangible actions to restore trust within Black communities. Similarly, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, acknowledged the progress made under the PRAP but recognized the ongoing need for substantial, systemic change to address racial disparities in policing.
Moving forward, the PRAP aims to focus on anti-racism with a renewed operational approach. However, leaders in policing are urged to recognize the importance of sustained commitment to building trust and confidence within the communities they serve.
As the standalone Police Race Action Plan concludes, the ISOB report highlights the necessity of integrating accountability measures within core systems, including the incorporation of race metrics in inspection frameworks and direct oversight by the Home Office to drive continued progress in addressing racial disparities within policing.