The Charity Inquest in a report out today says that Families of Black people who die following police contact cannot get accountability for racism from a system that is not “fit for purpose”
It investigated the processes, procedures and evidence base of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the coronial system to examine how accountability for racism is delivered and found a system which works against delivering accountability, that appeared blind to the evidence and where racial discrimination was not addressed meaningfully.
Deborah Coles, Director of INQUEST, said: “The evidence is stark. Deeply rooted patterns of systemic racism, across police forces and across time, are resulting in disproportionate numbers of deaths of Black men following the use of restraint.
Investigation and oversight bodies are failing to examine the potential role of race and racism in deaths involving police. This renders racism invisible in the official narratives and prevents justice, accountability and change.
Now is a time of intense scrutiny on policing, yet politicians from across the political spectrum are not responding to the evidence. Institutional racism is embedded in police culture and practice which equates Black men with dangerousness and criminality.
As well as making a range of recommendations on addressing institutional racism within policing and improving post death investigation processes, INQUEST are calling for transformative change to prevent future deaths and harms.
The Government must decrease reliance on policing and investment in the criminal justice system. Public funding and policy must prioritise welfare, health, housing, education, youth services and social care to tackle the root causes of these issues.”
