In The Community
The Metropolitan Black Police Association is committed to ensuring that the black communities of London receive the best possible service from the Metropolitan Police. In partnership with the community we help to identify weaknesses in police service delivery and in turn help facilitate solutions. Our Community Action programme provides an opportunity for local people, many of whom had been suspicious of the police and would never dream of participating in local panels or forums. However our community programmes build trust and confidence within the community and in turn provide a platform for further community involvement.
One of the major challenges facing modern day policing is the need to engage effectively with all communities and citizens. However, a cocktail of mistrust, past histories, stereotyping, cultural misunderstanding and misconceptions have to lead to a situation of disengagement between the black community and the police. Disparities in stop and search where young black men are eight times more likely to be stop on the streets of London than their white counterparts has played a significant role in this positioning. The situation is worsened by centrally defined Home Office policing priorities, which often do not reflect local needs and priorities. The phase 'Hard to Reach Communities' is often used as a cloak to disguise a lack of proactive outreach to the communities. As a consequence many in the black community feel their need are not addressed or taken into consideration. We have started to tackle some of these issues with a sophisticated programme of community engagement and problem solving initiatives.
In 2000 the BPA launched a pioneering programme aimed at improving race relations between the police and the black community and improving service delivery to the community. A three-year pilot programme was designed and delivered by the Association in North Paddington, London.
The project has been described by many as groundbreaking in terms of new models for community consultation, community safety and problem solving policing. The project represented a long-term holistic approach for building improved and sustainable community/police confidence and aiding service improvement. Funded by money from a local Single Regeneration Budget, with additional funds from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) the project provided a unique platform for the voices of the community to be heard by the police.
The programme aimed to empower local people, influence and enhance the quality of service received within the North Paddington area. It provided positive interactions and instilled confidence between the police and local communities.
The Paddington project was a huge success. The Association is now in a position to roll the programme out across London to other black communities. Our priorities will focus on the following boroughs: Hackney, Haringey, Brent, Lambeth, Southwark and Newham.
The following is a list of our community programmes: