Black Voices on Policing

The longstanding challenges within policing and its accountability structures have had negative consequences for Black communities who face over-surveillance and disproportionately negative interactions with law enforcement. Reports like MacPherson and Casey have shed light on institutional racism within policing, underscoring its impact on community safety. The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) commissioned Psi and Black Thrive Global to conduct a London-wide consultation. This consultation aimed to gather insights from Black individuals and other stakeholders on increasing Black representation in scrutinising accountability mechanisms and enhancing their effectiveness.

We were commissioned to design and facilitated two codesign sessions with a dedicated working group. We worked together to identify tangible recommendations for improving accountability, representation, and rebuilding trust between the police and communities. By centering the lived experiences and insights of those most affected, the resulting recommendations hold significant promise for effecting positive change. This collaborative approach ensures that the recommendations resonate deeply with the realities faced by Black communities, offering a pathway towards a more equitable and accountable policing system and to encourage us to explore more innovative approaches to community safety.