Police race relations in England: A history of policy

Abstract

This paper charts the history of ideas that has informed police race relations policies in England. Particular attention is given to training policies. Ideas of cultural difference initially underpinned these and other policies. Police race relations became a specialism within most of England’s 43 constabularies. One consequence of the serious public disorder on the streets of many of England’s cities in 1981, however, was a perception by the representatives of black people that specialization was a means of isolating them from routine policing. Indeed, the disorders posed a major question about how race relations could be taken into account in routine policing? Training had to address generic and more specific issues of race relations. The difficulties encountered in answering this question are discussed. The recent, crucial interventions of black police officers as opinion formers within constabularies marks a significant change in the history charted. Previously driven by external events, questions about race relations policies are now also considered by a new constituency working within the police — black officers.