Policing Black children: an urgent call for accountability and action

On the evening of the 22^nd August, twenty-seven community leaders, activists, and concerned citizens gathered to discuss the pressing issues of police accountability and the safety of Black children in England and Wales.

The event, organised by the Alliance for Police Accountability (APA), centred around the deeply troubling case of Child X – a young boy who, in July 2023, was the victim of an egregious police overreach in the London borough of Hackney. This incident sparked renewed calls for systemic change in how Black children are treated by law enforcement.

The APA was developed and created to fundamentally empower Black communities to effectively challenge institutionally racist policing, improve community safety. We have highlighted the need for both policing practice and public health interventions to be co-developed and co-produced from a unique Black community perspective. Central to this aim is recognising the intersectionality of the issues under discussion and the need for comprehensive inclusivity of all sections of the Black communities across the UK.

The case of Child X: An example of Police Overreach

Lee Jasper, Chair of the APA, a Black-led initiative to radically transform the relationship between the police and Black communities, began the meeting by recounting Child X’s traumatic experience. While playing with a water pistol in his own house, Child X and his sister were reported by an off-duty police officer. This led to an armed response team confronting the child, forcefully removing him from his scooter, and wrongfully handcuffing him at gunpoint. The treatment of Child X’s mother, who was dismissed and treated with contempt when she sought answers, further highlighted the deep-seated issues of racial bias within the Met Police.

The family’s trauma was compounded by the lack of support from local authorities, as the case did not meet the criteria for safeguarding interventions – a decision that drew sharp criticism, especially given Hackney’s recent history with Child Q, another tragic case involving the mistreatment of a Black child.

Systemic Failures and the Need for Reform

Throughout the evening, speakers emphasised the broader systemic failures that have allowed such incidents to occur. Jasper pointed out that while British society is adept at producing policies and conducting consultations, actual change is often elusive. He cited the narrow scope of Hackney’s Child Q policy, which fails to address the broader issue of police use of force against children, and the deep trauma with no recognition that systemic racism is a public health issue is s a prime example of this fundamental disconnect.

Jeremy Crook OBE, Chief Executive of Action for Race Equality (ARE), echoed this sentiment. Despite decades of advocacy and countless race action plans, Crook noted that little has changed in terms of outcomes for Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage children in education and employment. He urged the community to focus on a handful recommendations when engaging with the police and government, rather than overwhelming officials with long action lists that are likely to be ignored.

Community Solutions and the Path Forward

The event also provided a platform for discussing potential solutions. Sira Thiam, Development Officer for the APA, outlined the organisation’s efforts to create Black community policing and public health charters. These charters aim to address the specific needs of Black communities by combining political advocacy, data collection, and community building.

Local Hackney Councillor Claudia Turbet-Delof then highlighted the importance of enforcing existing structures within the council to ensure accountability. She shared her personal experiences with systemic failures, including how her son narrowly escaped a stabbing, and expressed frustration at the lack of implementation of policies designed to protect residents.

A recurring theme was the need for continuous support for affected families, even after media attention fades. Courtney Brown, CEO of Father2Father, questioned what support remains available once the public spotlight moves on, suggesting the creation of a Critical Incident Trauma Support fund to help organisations provide ongoing care.

The Importance of Community Empowerment and Knowledge Sharing

As the meeting progressed, attendees stressed the importance of community empowerment and knowledge sharing. Professor Patrick Vernon OBE, Windrush Justice and Mental Health campaigner, emphasised the need to document the work of veteran activists to ensure that their experiences and strategies are passed down to the next generation.

This sentiment was shared by Jasper, who spoke of the importance of the APA as a legacy project, a culmination of over 40 years of activism that can help contribute to education and strategic development, hopefully providing a solid foundation for future leaders seeking police reform.

The discussion also touched on the role of data and monitoring in holding the police accountable. Participants called for better tracking of police actions, including the use of force and strip searches, to identify patterns of misconduct and ensure that the same officers are not repeatedly violating the rights of children.

The APA received a strong mandate from those in attendance to follow up on the Child X change. We hope to meet with Hackney Council Chief Executive Dawn Carter-McDonald, Hackney and London police, and relevant community members and activists.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The event concluded with a call to action: for the community to continue showing up, supporting initiatives like the APA, and holding the police and government accountable. As Jasper and others made clear, the fight for justice and equity will require the sustained effort of everyone involved to ensure that the next generation of Black children can grow up without fear of those who are supposed to protect them.

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