Stop and Search Reference Group
The Stop and Search Reference Group was one of recommendations from the ISCRE's research conducted to unpick the issues contributing to the paradox that sees more Black and Minority Ethnic people being stopped and searched than white people in Ipswich.
The stop and search reference group was set up with the primary purpose of improving the trust and confidence of BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) communities in the way the police conduct stop/search and encounters by openly discussing the issues and holding individual officers accountable
for their actions. Its role includes:
(1) Scrutinising district performance in relation to stop/search particularly stops of people from BME backgrounds
(2) Examining forms completed in relation to people from BME backgrounds to ensure that the searches have been carried out in accordance with Code A of the Code of practice
(3) Discussing stop search cases brought to ISCRE’s attention via its community reporting facilities
(4) Monitoring the impact of the use of stop/searches and encounters in the community and on Suffolk Constabulary
(5) Contributing to Suffolk Constabulary’s stop search policy, procedure and training
(6) Reporting to the Diversity Programme Board
The reference group is chaired by a member of the BME community and it is made up of other interested members of the community, ISCRE, Suffolk Police Authority member(s), Independent Advisory Group (IAG) member(s) and Suffolk Constabulary: Area commander(s) / representative, Diversity Manager/Diversity Officer, Black Police Association (BPA) representative and Officers/Supervisors from different areas of Suffolk.
The reference group meetings are held monthly in different parts of Suffolk. To attend the next reference group meeting holding in Lowestoft on the 21st March 2010, please click the link below for more information
Lowestoft meeting flyer
For the full Stop and search report click on the link below
