GMP chief welcomes plans to combat racism - after report finds black people living in region nearly six times more likely to be stopped and searched

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police has welcomed a new plan to stamp out racism among police forces in the UK.

Police chiefs have said they are 'ashamed' of racism within their ranks, as they set out the Police Race Action plan - vowing that the service will become an 'institutionally anti-racist organisation.' Chf Con Stephen Watson acknowledged that his own force still have 'some way to go' to ensure those from black communities across the region feel they are being treated fairly and equally. READ MORE:Football hooligan who was on MI6 watchlist banned from matches It comes as the chair of an equality panel concluded GMP is 'institutionally racist' as a concerning report released last July found that black people in the conurbation were nearly six times more likely to be stopped and searched or Tasered by police.

Elizabeth Cameron suggested that the disproportionate use of police powers 'goes beyond unconscious bias and into the realms of racism,' while also expressing concerns about the lack of ethnic minority representation within the force's ranks.

Responding to the panel, Mr Watson denied the force was institutionally racist, but admitted that it was likely that it could employ 'somebody who behaves in a racist way.' In a statement issued this week, the Chief Constable said it was vital that GMP commit to delivering the new action plan 'so that we can continue to improve how we protect Black communities.' College of Policing Chief Constable Andy Marsh and West Midlands Police Chief Constable Sir Dave Thompson, the senior officer responsible for the project, said the murder of George Floyd in America provided a 'catalyst for the expression of deep concerns about the social injustice experienced by