Yet again the main issue surrounding stop n search has been missed.
The main issues which stares everyone in the face are very simple:
- Racial Profiling.
- The behaviour of Officers whilst conducting stop n search.
- Black People being 28% more likely to be stopped,in comparison to their white counterparts and 8.7% if your Asian.
Indeed although charges do not result from many of these stops, one must remember that many do go through at traumatic experience once stopped, in addition to some being charged with breach of the peace, assault on a Police Officer and resisting arrest; which is as a result of a stop n search.
One key area of concern missed, what sanctions are there on Officers that breach rules in terms of disproportionate use of stop n search and also an Officer, by virtue of number of complaints is clearly out of control with their behaviour.
Best Use of Stop and Search code( as per BBC Report)
· Record the outcome of stops in more detail to allow assessment of how forces interpret the rules
· Record a broader range of outcomes, including penalty notices and cautions, to help understand how successful each stop and search is
· Allow members of the public to apply to accompany officers on patrols
· Make forces explain publicly how stops are used if they receive complaints over a set "trigger" level
· Only use the "no suspicion" Section 60 power when it is "necessary" to prevent serious violence
· Raise the level of authorisation required for Section 60 powers from police inspector to an officer above the rank of chief superintendent
· Limit the initial use of Section 60 powers to 15 hours, from the existing 24 hours, and "communicate with communities" about the purpose and success of such use
This clearly illustrates that this only can be seen to be a beginning and not a solution, is this a ploy to win votes at the next General Election or a real attempt to level the playing field.
In my opinion this just doesn’t even skim the surface of the issues surrounding stop n search, which is a must needed toll, but yet again the way it is conducted has not been addressed with the reforms announced today.
Desmond Jaddoo