On Friday 10th July, reports emerged that police across England and Wales may face an inquiry over allegations of racial discrimination against ethnic minorities in their use of force and stop and search.
According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) there will be a formal investigation into cases and any pattern of racial discrimination will be traced for. The announcement for the enquiry appears amidst growing pressure for justification of the use of stop and search policy after a series of high-profile cases that have been caught on camera.
It follows after the Met police commissioner, Cressida Dick, apologised for distress caused to the British athlete Bianca Williams when officers stopped, searched and handcuffed her and her partner in west London. Research has indicated that stop and search is nine times more likely to be used against Black people Police powers in England and Wales are used disproportionately against black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people
The IOPC inquiry could be one of the most significant examinations of police and race since the Macpherson inquiry in 1999 found the police to be institutionally racist.
IOPC will also examine whether BAME people are being failed as victims of crime.
