North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable issued an apology today after admitting that policing “still contains racism, discrimination and bias”.

Lisa Winward was speaking in response to the publication of the Police Race Action Plan, which covers all forces in England and Wales.

The plan outlines proposals, such as mandatory training for all police officers and staff about racism and Black history.

However, although it admits failures, it does accept that forces are institutionally racist, which has drawn criticism from the father of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in London in 1993.

Chief Constable Winward said in a statement:

“On behalf of North Yorkshire Police, and all our current and former employees, I accept that policing still contains racism, discrimination and bias.

“I apologise for where North Yorkshire Police has fallen short of the standards we hold ourselves to, and the impact that this has had on individuals, communities and police colleagues.

“However, there is also frustration – both inside and outside of policing – that we have not been able to tackle the accusation of being institutionally racist.

“We have fantastic officers and staff supporting the communities of North Yorkshire who come to work every day to make a positive difference to the lives of everyone we have responsibility for.

“The national Police Race Action Plan proposes that racist bias continues to persist in policing due to our processes and systems. We can’t begin to tackle this issue until we accept that there is a problem in how our force operates.

“We are going to use the Plan to shine a light on the disparities that exist in how we police our communities and individuals and explain or amend our ways of working.”

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Chief Constable Winward added North Yorkshire Police would put plans in place “to challenge our own policies, procedures and practice” and would “work closely” with North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe on making changes.

‘Right and courageous’

Ms Metcalfe said in a statement:

“There should be no place for racism in North Yorkshire and York, and no place for racism in North Yorkshire Police.

“This action plan, the response of police forces nationwide and reaction of North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable is welcome.

“Unless we recognise there is a problem, not enough will be done to address it, so it is right and courageous for Lisa Winward to accept that policing still contains racism, discrimination and bias.”

She urged people to take part in a national survey on the plan, which has gone out for consultation. It can be completed here.