• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home General

‘Time to right the wrong’ Nigeria-born barrister to lead UK independent police oversight board

Freelanews by Freelanews
August 4, 2021
in General
0
Screenshot 2021 08 04 at 07 30 33 Black barrister to lead independent police oversight board

Police chiefs hoping to pull themselves out of a race crisis have appointed a new tsar who has previously said black people fear calling on officers for help.

Barrister Abimbola Johnson will chair a new independent scrutiny and oversight board as part of a promised suite of changes to policing meant to boost confidence among minority ethnic groups.

The appointment was made by the National Police Chiefs Council representing law enforcement’s leadership.

Police chiefs’ final plans have been awaiting the approval of the new independent chair of the scrutiny board. They intend it to signify that they will no longer mark their own homework on racial justice, which has been an enduring problem for British policing.

Johnson said of her appointment that policing needed systemic change: “Black people have been disproportionately affected by policing for decades. Many of us have had personal experiences with the police that have been unsatisfactory, unfair or even harmful and many of us know of others with similar stories.

“I hope the creation of an action plan and a parallel independent board to inform, oversee and scrutinise that plan marks a recognition by the police that the onus is on them to look inwards.”

Last week the home affairs committee said police and government had done too little on racial justice and that failings were “systemic”.

The NPCC’s vice-chair, Sir David Thompson, chief constable of the West Midlands force, welcomed Johnson’s appointment: “The recent parliamentary report on 22 years since the Macpherson inquiry was a stark reminder of how long many black communities have waited for policing to go further and faster in addressing race disparities. Our urgent work with her will begin right away.”

Last July the NPCC chair, Martin Hewitt, told the Guardian the new chair would have the “soft power” to demand answers from police and admonish them if progress was too slow or blocked.

Hewitt said: “It demonstrates the fact that we’re listening and we want to listen. It demonstrates the fact that we are opening ourselves up to independent external scrutiny, and it also provides legitimacy to the work that we are doing, because this will be work of a number of years.”

Over the decades police chiefs had made repeated promises of change, and Hewitt said of police’s race problems: “It is a wicked and challenging issue. It is an issue that we [as police chiefs] have a responsibility to address.”

In a Guardian piece in October 2020, Johnson wrote that: “The statistics, the anecdotes and the direct experiences reinforce the idea that it doesn’t matter how young, vulnerable, cooperative, ‘socially acceptable’ or innocent you are: your blackness overrides everything else, and is reason enough to treat you as a threat.

“If the police are serious about improving relationships with members of the black community, they need to look inwards and ask some fundamental questions: why do they still use tactics that so disproportionately interfere with the lives of black people? Why are they so quick to view black people as threatening and aggressive? And why do officers act so readily on such vague, generic descriptions of black people, knowing those they treat with suspicion are likely to be innocent?”

“Officers need to earn the respect and faith of the communities they serve – and that task starts with them. Until the police take steps to heal that damage, reluctance and scepticism will continue to tarnish their daily interactions – not only with suspects but with black witnesses and victims too.”

As a barrister Johnson has fought racial bias in the legal profession and courts. She will chair a board whose members will now be recruited.

freelanews
Freelanews

Freelanews is a potpourri of news, entertainment, business, events and photos. This is no fake news.

Related Posts

WhatsApp Image 2022 02 21 at 10.45.22 PM scaled
General

‘Failed to remit 25%’ Senate instructs UniAbuja to refund N603m IGR to federation account

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
February 21, 2022
WhatsApp Image 2020 11 30 at 10.03.11 PM 2
General

‘Impressive’ ODUACCIMA holds think tank to tackle unemployment in SW region

by Freelanews
December 1, 2020
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission rescues trafficked girls from Ghana
General

13 trafficked Nigerian girls repatriated from Ghana: NiDCOM’s ongoing rescue efforts

by Quadri Olaitan
November 15, 2024
versed ascap podcast logo 2019 billboard 1548
General

ASCAP Launches New Podcast to Educate Music Creators

by Freelanews
December 6, 2019
Wike and Aso Villa jpg
General

Leaked circular reveals FG moves to curb document leaks

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
February 20, 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
NDLEA

NDLEA cracks down on illegal drug parties in Lagos

October 29, 2025
Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta’s fierce Milan draw

October 29, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
Omoge Saida

Omoge Saida sparks Nigerian social media over leaked video

October 28, 2025
APC Second-Term Governors

APC: Second-term governors seeking immediate elective post to lose party leadership

October 15, 2025
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

19
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

11
Meran Primary Health Centre Lagos father Meran hospital

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

4
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

3
Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
NDLEA

NDLEA cracks down on illegal drug parties in Lagos

October 29, 2025
Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta’s fierce Milan draw

October 29, 2025
October 2025
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Hot!

Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.