Wiltshire's PCC welcomes national review into race discrimination

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has welcomed a national review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to ensure that officers are not discriminating against ethnic minorities.

Over the coming months, the issue of race discrimination will form a thematic area of focus by the police watchdog which will include scrutiny of stop and search powers and appropriate use of force. 

Mr Macpherson said: “I wholeheartedly welcome this review and will actively support the IOPC in its work.

“A core function of my role is to hold Wiltshire Police to account for the delivery of my Police and Crime Plan of which a key priority is to secure a quality police service which is efficient and trusted by all.

“Wiltshire Police enjoys a position of trust at the heart of our community which underpins our joint efforts to keep our county safe and protect the most vulnerable. 

“I am very conscious of the vital relationship between the police and all of our communities and I am fully committed to nurturing our strong links and building trust especially with minority groups.” 

He explained that Wiltshire Police exercises particular oversight in the way in which it interacts with minority communities including detailed scrutiny of the use of stop and search powers, monthly reviews of other use of force such as Taser deployment; and more recently the enforcement of Covid guidelines.

He said: “Being transparent with data such as use of force or fines issued as a result of breaches to the COVID legislation helps give our communities a better insight into the way in which Wiltshire Police conducts itself.

“My office plays a vital role in this – a recent example is the process I approved to provide scrutiny and oversight of the legality and proportionality of COVID fines issued in Wiltshire and Swindon.

“I will continue to advocate for Wiltshire Police to continue to develop its relationships with our minority communities to help improve the service provided to all.”