Home Affairs Committee open Macpherson report inquiry with session featuring Baroness Lawrence, BAME police groups

This is the first oral evidence session for the Committee’s inquiry to mark the 20th anniversary of the Macpherson report – the culmination of the public inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. The Committee is hearing evidence from Baroness Lawrence about her views on progress since the Macpherson report, and the legacy of her son, Stephen Lawrence. This will be followed by a panel of representatives from associations representing black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) officers and staff.

The session is likely to cover:

• ·         The extent to which police forces in England and Wales have made sufficient progress in the last twenty years towards ensuring that the ethnic diversity of their officers and staff reflects the diversity of the communities that they serve;
• ·         The extent to which the police service has become a diverse and inclusive culture, free from the institutional racism identified by Sir William Macpherson, including the impact of training courses and other initiatives;
• ·         The current state of police relations with BAME individuals and communities, including the impact of police tactics used disproportionately on BAME people, such as stop and search;
• ·         An assessment on progress against Sir William’s recommendations on the reporting and recording of racist hate crimes;
• ·         The quality of the service provided by police forces to BAME individuals and communities;
• ·         The quality and effectiveness of the support and leadership provided by the Home Office and other national bodies in achieving nationwide progress against Sir William’s recommendations.

The Committee has appointed Dr Nicola Rollock, as a Specialist Adviser to the Committee’s inquiry.

Witnesses

At 10.00am

• Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE

At 11.00am

• Detective Sergeant Janet Hills, Chair, Metropolitan Black Police Association
• Inspector Mustafa Mohammed QPM, President, National Association of Muslim Police
• Police Sergeant Tola Munro, President, National Black Police Association
• Bevan Powell MBE, former Chair of the Metropolitan Black Police Association and founding member of the National Black Police Association