This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/24/police-didnt-see-deen-as-victim-bristol-hate-crime

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
‘The police didn’t see Deen as a victim despite blood pouring out of his head’ ‘The police didn’t see Deen as a victim despite blood pouring out of his head’
(2 days later)
One August evening, in Brue Close, a housing estate in Weston-super-Mare, police and emergency services were called to No 39. Two police cars, a police van, a dog and several officers arrived. They saw a crowd of hostile white adults, “an angry mob” and a middle-aged black man standing in his front garden bleeding profusely from a head wound. His five-year-old daughter was distraught. The emergency services were responding to two separate reports. The first came from Kim Jones, the tenant at No 39, requesting urgent help for her partner, Tajudeen “Deen” Taiwo. She said he had been the victim of a racial assault. His head had been banged against a wall, cracking it open. The second call said a black man had a knife.One August evening, in Brue Close, a housing estate in Weston-super-Mare, police and emergency services were called to No 39. Two police cars, a police van, a dog and several officers arrived. They saw a crowd of hostile white adults, “an angry mob” and a middle-aged black man standing in his front garden bleeding profusely from a head wound. His five-year-old daughter was distraught. The emergency services were responding to two separate reports. The first came from Kim Jones, the tenant at No 39, requesting urgent help for her partner, Tajudeen “Deen” Taiwo. She said he had been the victim of a racial assault. His head had been banged against a wall, cracking it open. The second call said a black man had a knife.
What subsequently unfolded is to become part of an innovatory attempt by Avon and Somerset police to challenge police behaviour and attitudes that consciously or otherwise sanction hate crime. Following his arrest, a publicly humiliated Taiwo was taken to hospital in handcuffs to have his head wound treated. He needed 14 stitches. He was kept in custody for 35 hours in total and charged with a number of offences, including possession of an offensive weapon and threats to kill while his family, which includes two boys from an earlier relationship of Jones’s, were left without support on an estate with hostile neighbours.What subsequently unfolded is to become part of an innovatory attempt by Avon and Somerset police to challenge police behaviour and attitudes that consciously or otherwise sanction hate crime. Following his arrest, a publicly humiliated Taiwo was taken to hospital in handcuffs to have his head wound treated. He needed 14 stitches. He was kept in custody for 35 hours in total and charged with a number of offences, including possession of an offensive weapon and threats to kill while his family, which includes two boys from an earlier relationship of Jones’s, were left without support on an estate with hostile neighbours.
It took three years of struggle, a flawed internal police inquiry that revealed officers’ complete ignorance of the force’s own hate policy and inept disciplinary procedures before Avon and Somerset police finally accepted culpability for its discriminatory behaviour and made a public apology, paid compensation and made a commitment to involve the family in an overhaul of its training procedure. Part of that overhaul includes the making of a documentary of Taiwo and Jones’s experience so that it can be used as a tool to tackle racism and prejudice in police ranks (this is the first time in Britain that the police have used this approach). Filming begins on Thursday. The impact of this new training approach will be monitored by the force for 12 months.It took three years of struggle, a flawed internal police inquiry that revealed officers’ complete ignorance of the force’s own hate policy and inept disciplinary procedures before Avon and Somerset police finally accepted culpability for its discriminatory behaviour and made a public apology, paid compensation and made a commitment to involve the family in an overhaul of its training procedure. Part of that overhaul includes the making of a documentary of Taiwo and Jones’s experience so that it can be used as a tool to tackle racism and prejudice in police ranks (this is the first time in Britain that the police have used this approach). Filming begins on Thursday. The impact of this new training approach will be monitored by the force for 12 months.
The documentary will be made by a team headed by former BBC Bristol-based film-maker Jon Mowat, executive producer Lynn Barlow (Anatomy of a Crime, for which she was series producer, is a multi-award-winning police documentary) and directed by Andy Mundy-Castle, who recently made African Masters, a series on contemporary African art for the Africa Channel, among other documentaries. The aim is for the documentary to have a wider audience with other police forces and public services, such as housing providers who work with the police to support victims of hate crime. “We are involving a psychologist in the making of the film because we want to find the most effective way to challenge stereotypes and a system of thought within some sectors of the police,” says Mowat. “We won’t use a dramatic reconstruction. Deen and Kim will tell their own story. It’s a horror story. That’s what will give emotional power to the training tools that go alongside the film.”The documentary will be made by a team headed by former BBC Bristol-based film-maker Jon Mowat, executive producer Lynn Barlow (Anatomy of a Crime, for which she was series producer, is a multi-award-winning police documentary) and directed by Andy Mundy-Castle, who recently made African Masters, a series on contemporary African art for the Africa Channel, among other documentaries. The aim is for the documentary to have a wider audience with other police forces and public services, such as housing providers who work with the police to support victims of hate crime. “We are involving a psychologist in the making of the film because we want to find the most effective way to challenge stereotypes and a system of thought within some sectors of the police,” says Mowat. “We won’t use a dramatic reconstruction. Deen and Kim will tell their own story. It’s a horror story. That’s what will give emotional power to the training tools that go alongside the film.”
Hate crime is defined by the Home Office as “any incident which constitutes a criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person as motivated by prejudice or hate”. Hate crime, under the government’s national hate crime strategy, is recorded by the police under five categories: disability, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation and transgender identity. Such crimes are notoriously under-reported. Even so, there has been a 15% rise in hate crimes in England and Wales since 2012, with some forces registering increases of up to 67%. In 2013/14, according to the Home Office, there were 44,480 hate crimes recorded by the police, 84% of which were racially motivated.Hate crime is defined by the Home Office as “any incident which constitutes a criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person as motivated by prejudice or hate”. Hate crime, under the government’s national hate crime strategy, is recorded by the police under five categories: disability, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation and transgender identity. Such crimes are notoriously under-reported. Even so, there has been a 15% rise in hate crimes in England and Wales since 2012, with some forces registering increases of up to 67%. In 2013/14, according to the Home Office, there were 44,480 hate crimes recorded by the police, 84% of which were racially motivated.
Somerset and Avon police currently has 18 police officers and civilians under investigation for matters relating to a single hate-crime case that led to the murder of a man. Alex Raikes of the Bristol charity Sari – Stand Against Racism and Inequality – says that it dealt with 550 cases of hate crime in the city last year. She predicts that the number will be significantly higher this year, influenced by an increase in “Islamaphobia”. Each case may cover a number of incidents. If those incidents aren’t properly investigated by the police because of its own bias, the injustice for the victim is doubled. “All we ever wanted was for the police to do a proper job,” Jones, 35, says. “To establish what really happened and why — to do the right thing.”Somerset and Avon police currently has 18 police officers and civilians under investigation for matters relating to a single hate-crime case that led to the murder of a man. Alex Raikes of the Bristol charity Sari – Stand Against Racism and Inequality – says that it dealt with 550 cases of hate crime in the city last year. She predicts that the number will be significantly higher this year, influenced by an increase in “Islamaphobia”. Each case may cover a number of incidents. If those incidents aren’t properly investigated by the police because of its own bias, the injustice for the victim is doubled. “All we ever wanted was for the police to do a proper job,” Jones, 35, says. “To establish what really happened and why — to do the right thing.”
More than 20 years after the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the Macpherson report that made 70 recommendations and accused the Metropolitan police of “institutional racism”, senior officers concede that a serious problem remains. In addition, according to a recent Home Office poll, the public’s faith in the ability of the police to investigate its own behaviour, when a complaint is made, is low. So, will this latest initiative really break new ground? And is the policing of the police – the scrutiny of its own behaviour — as fair and effective as it ought to be?More than 20 years after the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the Macpherson report that made 70 recommendations and accused the Metropolitan police of “institutional racism”, senior officers concede that a serious problem remains. In addition, according to a recent Home Office poll, the public’s faith in the ability of the police to investigate its own behaviour, when a complaint is made, is low. So, will this latest initiative really break new ground? And is the policing of the police – the scrutiny of its own behaviour — as fair and effective as it ought to be?
Taiwo, 53, a gentle, softly spoken man, came to Britain from Nigeria in his 20s. He is a long-distance lorry driver. He and Jones now have a second daughter, aged 18 months. The strain of the last three years ended their relationship but they remain friends. Jones is an office manager, articulate, passionate and full of vim. They first met in Weston-super-Mare in 1999. The couple initially lived in London and were subjected to the kind of casual racism that depletes the spirit and damages self-respect, especially if the victim believes that reporting it to the police will result in little action. “Deen would tell me about racist incidents and I’d say, ‘That can’t be true.’ Once we became a mixed race couple, it was aimed at me too. People made comments in the street, especially women. Deen would say, ‘Ignore it. Don’t react. Walk away.’ We would end up in an argument because I didn’t think that was right,” Jones says.Taiwo, 53, a gentle, softly spoken man, came to Britain from Nigeria in his 20s. He is a long-distance lorry driver. He and Jones now have a second daughter, aged 18 months. The strain of the last three years ended their relationship but they remain friends. Jones is an office manager, articulate, passionate and full of vim. They first met in Weston-super-Mare in 1999. The couple initially lived in London and were subjected to the kind of casual racism that depletes the spirit and damages self-respect, especially if the victim believes that reporting it to the police will result in little action. “Deen would tell me about racist incidents and I’d say, ‘That can’t be true.’ Once we became a mixed race couple, it was aimed at me too. People made comments in the street, especially women. Deen would say, ‘Ignore it. Don’t react. Walk away.’ We would end up in an argument because I didn’t think that was right,” Jones says.
Taiwo’s job meant he had a company car. He reports that he was constantly stopped by the police, on one day, five times. “I got used to going to the station to produce his documents,” Jones says. On another occasion, they were pulled over in a garage. “Deen was approached by the police. They said he was an illegal immigrant and a wanted man. It was so scary. He’s a British citizen. The police had two riot vans and the name Dean. Eventually, they said, ‘Sorry, we’ve made a spelling error on your name.’”Taiwo’s job meant he had a company car. He reports that he was constantly stopped by the police, on one day, five times. “I got used to going to the station to produce his documents,” Jones says. On another occasion, they were pulled over in a garage. “Deen was approached by the police. They said he was an illegal immigrant and a wanted man. It was so scary. He’s a British citizen. The police had two riot vans and the name Dean. Eventually, they said, ‘Sorry, we’ve made a spelling error on your name.’”
In 2006, the couple moved back to Weston. Three years later, in 2009, Taiwo suffered a racist attack by two men. They broke his nose. A friend witnessed the assault. He was an off-duty community support officer. Taiwo says that this friend later told him that he had been told by colleagues that if he gave evidence, his job would suffer. The police took no statements, CCTV was lost and the case was not pursued. “They didn’t care. That hurt,” Taiwo says quietly. In the same year, the family moved to Brue Close. “It was a house with a garden. We thought we’d be happy.”In 2006, the couple moved back to Weston. Three years later, in 2009, Taiwo suffered a racist attack by two men. They broke his nose. A friend witnessed the assault. He was an off-duty community support officer. Taiwo says that this friend later told him that he had been told by colleagues that if he gave evidence, his job would suffer. The police took no statements, CCTV was lost and the case was not pursued. “They didn’t care. That hurt,” Taiwo says quietly. In the same year, the family moved to Brue Close. “It was a house with a garden. We thought we’d be happy.”
Initially, Scott, Taiwo’s stepson, now 20, became friends with another local teenager. “Scott was troubled because he kept hearing very racist language, including the n-word,” Jones says. “Then there was a racist incident with two little Chinese girls in the park and Scott told me about it and said, ‘That could have been my sister.’” The couple told Scott to end his friendship. Over the two years leading up to August 2012, the family experienced constant harassment and racial abuse. Taiwo’s car was scratched several times, his work van was shot at with an air rifle, nails found their way into his tyres and car windows were broken. There were disputes about parking. “I always said I wouldn’t retaliate,” Taiwo says. “I wouldn’t do anything until they came to my front door and came for my family. And one day, they did.”Initially, Scott, Taiwo’s stepson, now 20, became friends with another local teenager. “Scott was troubled because he kept hearing very racist language, including the n-word,” Jones says. “Then there was a racist incident with two little Chinese girls in the park and Scott told me about it and said, ‘That could have been my sister.’” The couple told Scott to end his friendship. Over the two years leading up to August 2012, the family experienced constant harassment and racial abuse. Taiwo’s car was scratched several times, his work van was shot at with an air rifle, nails found their way into his tyres and car windows were broken. There were disputes about parking. “I always said I wouldn’t retaliate,” Taiwo says. “I wouldn’t do anything until they came to my front door and came for my family. And one day, they did.”
On that day, 11 August 2012, one of Taiwo’s neighbours parked his motorbike directly next to his van, making it difficult to enter the vehicle. Taiwo moved the motorbike so he could open the van’s doors. Subsequently, the neighbour and a group of 10-15 adults came to No 39 and began to chant racial abuse. One said: “I’m going to kill you, you are going to take your last breath, n*****.” The neighbour slammed Taiwo’s head into the wall, causing a 10cm gash. Taiwo went into his kitchen and came back out with a knife, which he held up to protect himself and his five-year-old daughter, who had witnessed the assault on her father. “I thought they were going to attack my family,” he says. Jones phoned the emergency services and Taiwo returned the knife to the kitchen. When the police arrived, he was empty-handed and covered in blood.On that day, 11 August 2012, one of Taiwo’s neighbours parked his motorbike directly next to his van, making it difficult to enter the vehicle. Taiwo moved the motorbike so he could open the van’s doors. Subsequently, the neighbour and a group of 10-15 adults came to No 39 and began to chant racial abuse. One said: “I’m going to kill you, you are going to take your last breath, n*****.” The neighbour slammed Taiwo’s head into the wall, causing a 10cm gash. Taiwo went into his kitchen and came back out with a knife, which he held up to protect himself and his five-year-old daughter, who had witnessed the assault on her father. “I thought they were going to attack my family,” he says. Jones phoned the emergency services and Taiwo returned the knife to the kitchen. When the police arrived, he was empty-handed and covered in blood.
PC Steve Faulkner approached Taiwo, and threatened him with a Taser. Taiwo explained he had got the wrong person. He said he had been the victim of a racially motivated assault. None of the officers listened to his account. None of the officers recorded his allegation for further investigation, as required by the force’s own policy on hate crime; no one else was interviewed or arrested. Taiwo was arrested, handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle to the sound of monkey noises. Another officer, Sergeant Gareth Starr, took a detailed account from Jones and assured her that her fears about her family’s safety would be dealt with later. No steps were taken. A neighbour and witness said that as Taiwo was driven away, she shouted: “You’ve got it wrong. You have got the wrong man.” Much later, witnesses say they saw the attack but they were too frightened of repercussions to come forward. The estate had a history of racial incidents and a BNP connection. Taiwo and Jones were tenants of Knightstone Housing Association. The association reported that many ethnic minority families “suffered abuse from other residents”.PC Steve Faulkner approached Taiwo, and threatened him with a Taser. Taiwo explained he had got the wrong person. He said he had been the victim of a racially motivated assault. None of the officers listened to his account. None of the officers recorded his allegation for further investigation, as required by the force’s own policy on hate crime; no one else was interviewed or arrested. Taiwo was arrested, handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle to the sound of monkey noises. Another officer, Sergeant Gareth Starr, took a detailed account from Jones and assured her that her fears about her family’s safety would be dealt with later. No steps were taken. A neighbour and witness said that as Taiwo was driven away, she shouted: “You’ve got it wrong. You have got the wrong man.” Much later, witnesses say they saw the attack but they were too frightened of repercussions to come forward. The estate had a history of racial incidents and a BNP connection. Taiwo and Jones were tenants of Knightstone Housing Association. The association reported that many ethnic minority families “suffered abuse from other residents”.
Taiwo insisted on being taken to hospital to have his wound stitched. Initially, the police ordered that he remain in handcuffs but a doctor refused to attend to him unless he was released. He was subsequently taken to a magistrates court, released on bail and told not to return to his home. The evening of his arrest, Jones repeated her allegation that Taiwo had been a victim of a hate crime at Weston police station. She said there had been a history of racial violence towards her family and they were unsafe in the property. She was advised to move elsewhere “until the dust settled”. The police took no other steps to ensure the family was secure. The following day, Jones was informed by the housing association that her family would be evicted because her partner had been involved in a knife crime.Taiwo insisted on being taken to hospital to have his wound stitched. Initially, the police ordered that he remain in handcuffs but a doctor refused to attend to him unless he was released. He was subsequently taken to a magistrates court, released on bail and told not to return to his home. The evening of his arrest, Jones repeated her allegation that Taiwo had been a victim of a hate crime at Weston police station. She said there had been a history of racial violence towards her family and they were unsafe in the property. She was advised to move elsewhere “until the dust settled”. The police took no other steps to ensure the family was secure. The following day, Jones was informed by the housing association that her family would be evicted because her partner had been involved in a knife crime.
At this point, a friend of Taiwo and Jones suggested that they contact Sari. The award-winning charity was established in Bristol in 1988 and was the brainchild of the United Housing Association, a housing provider for black and ethnic minority people. At the time, victims of racism were not receiving a co-ordinated response – or, often, any response – from police and other agencies. In 1991, its first year of operation, it had 44 cases. A driving force was Batook Pandya, who died last year. Originally from Kenya, he arrived in London at the age of 17 and became an engineer. Years later, having experienced racism as an apprentice, he took a pay cut to lead Sari. In 1999, he was badly beaten in a racial attack in front of his family. Undeterred, Pandya turned Sari into a nationally recognised group, involved in action against all strands of hate crime, working in schools, research and training as well as investigating cases and supporting victims. Now, it covers much of the West Country, employs more than 20 staff and handles more than 500 cases a year.At this point, a friend of Taiwo and Jones suggested that they contact Sari. The award-winning charity was established in Bristol in 1988 and was the brainchild of the United Housing Association, a housing provider for black and ethnic minority people. At the time, victims of racism were not receiving a co-ordinated response – or, often, any response – from police and other agencies. In 1991, its first year of operation, it had 44 cases. A driving force was Batook Pandya, who died last year. Originally from Kenya, he arrived in London at the age of 17 and became an engineer. Years later, having experienced racism as an apprentice, he took a pay cut to lead Sari. In 1999, he was badly beaten in a racial attack in front of his family. Undeterred, Pandya turned Sari into a nationally recognised group, involved in action against all strands of hate crime, working in schools, research and training as well as investigating cases and supporting victims. Now, it covers much of the West Country, employs more than 20 staff and handles more than 500 cases a year.
After Taiwo and Jones made contact with Sari, in 2012 the organisation sent a report to Avon and Somerset police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Knightstone Housing Association’s senior leadership team. The charges against Taiwo were dropped and a criminal investigation belatedly launched into his allegations against his neighbour and other assailants. However, the officer in charge of that investigation decided that it was not in the public interest to take the case to court. The family then sought accountability through the police complaints system. After Taiwo and Jones made contact with Sari, in 2012 the organisation sent a report to Avon and Somerset police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Knightstone Housing Association’s senior leadership team. The charges against Taiwo were dropped and a criminal investigation belatedly launched into his allegations against his neighbour and other assailants. However, the officer in charge of that investigation decided that it was not in the public interest to take the case to court. The family then sought accountability through the police complaints system.
An internal police inquiry reported in February 2013 and concluded that no officer had a case to answer on grounds of misconduct. The officers who attended the scene at Brue Close would, instead, be given advice over “inconsiderate behaviour” that left their records unblemished and pensions untouched. “The internal inquiry report was so poor it was nonsensical,” says Raikes. “Deen’s case is one of the worst I’ve seen in 23 years at Sari. We finally had a successful conclusion only because we brought in specialist lawyers. That is an option increasingly restricted for most people because of the cuts to legal aid. Without legal help, this would have been a situation in which no justice was done.”An internal police inquiry reported in February 2013 and concluded that no officer had a case to answer on grounds of misconduct. The officers who attended the scene at Brue Close would, instead, be given advice over “inconsiderate behaviour” that left their records unblemished and pensions untouched. “The internal inquiry report was so poor it was nonsensical,” says Raikes. “Deen’s case is one of the worst I’ve seen in 23 years at Sari. We finally had a successful conclusion only because we brought in specialist lawyers. That is an option increasingly restricted for most people because of the cuts to legal aid. Without legal help, this would have been a situation in which no justice was done.”
Sophie Naftalin of the London solicitors Bhatt Murphy took on the case and brought a civil action against the police on behalf of the family. “The police were unable to see Deen as a victim despite blood pouring out of his head. It is inconceivable that if the roles were reversed and the police had arrived to see a white man with a serious head injury surrounded by a hostile crowd of black men, that the white man would have been perceived as the perpetrator,” she says. “This is about differentiation and discrimination. Deen was treated differently because he was black.”Sophie Naftalin of the London solicitors Bhatt Murphy took on the case and brought a civil action against the police on behalf of the family. “The police were unable to see Deen as a victim despite blood pouring out of his head. It is inconceivable that if the roles were reversed and the police had arrived to see a white man with a serious head injury surrounded by a hostile crowd of black men, that the white man would have been perceived as the perpetrator,” she says. “This is about differentiation and discrimination. Deen was treated differently because he was black.”
She lists the failings of the first internal inquiry, failings subsequently accepted by the police. They include not logging or investigating Deen’s charge that he had been a victim of a hate crime despite having repeated opportunities. A failure to investigate a history of racial abuse on the estate. A failure to protect Jones and the children. Ignorance of the force’s own official policy on the treatment of hate crimes. Ignorance of the policy was also displayed by the officer from Avon and Somerset police’s department of professional standards who had conducted the internal inquiry. The whole thing, says Naftalin, amounted to, “a breathtaking systemic failure. If we have the policies on hate crime but the police don’t read them, never mind implement them, what’s the point?”She lists the failings of the first internal inquiry, failings subsequently accepted by the police. They include not logging or investigating Deen’s charge that he had been a victim of a hate crime despite having repeated opportunities. A failure to investigate a history of racial abuse on the estate. A failure to protect Jones and the children. Ignorance of the force’s own official policy on the treatment of hate crimes. Ignorance of the policy was also displayed by the officer from Avon and Somerset police’s department of professional standards who had conducted the internal inquiry. The whole thing, says Naftalin, amounted to, “a breathtaking systemic failure. If we have the policies on hate crime but the police don’t read them, never mind implement them, what’s the point?”
According to the national hate crime strategy “the police service is committed to reducing the harm caused by hate crime by increasing the confidence of victims… to identify and, where appropriate, prosecute those who commit such crimes”. It notes that a failure to respond properly may result in “secondary victimisation”.According to the national hate crime strategy “the police service is committed to reducing the harm caused by hate crime by increasing the confidence of victims… to identify and, where appropriate, prosecute those who commit such crimes”. It notes that a failure to respond properly may result in “secondary victimisation”.
As a result of Naftalin’s intervention, a second far more rigorous internal inquiry was conducted. Three police officers were brought before a disciplinary panel. While the panel concluded that there had a been a breach of duty, they did not uphold the complaint of race discrimination.As a result of Naftalin’s intervention, a second far more rigorous internal inquiry was conducted. Three police officers were brought before a disciplinary panel. While the panel concluded that there had a been a breach of duty, they did not uphold the complaint of race discrimination.
PC Steve Faulkner was cleared because he had acted on the information that a black man had a knife. Another officer was given “words of advice” and the supervising officer, Gareth Starr, received a written warning for failing to record or investigate Jones’s allegations. Their careers continue. In October last year, Avon and Somerset police agreed to pay substantial damages to the family, including a payment for counselling. The force made a full admission under the Human Rights Act, now to be repealed by the Conservative government, that the family had been subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment by the police and that they had been discriminated against on account of Taiwo’s race. Such declarations rarely happen in civil cases brought against the police. Acting Chief Constable John Long wrote a personal letter of apology. “I fully understand why Tajudeen felt ignored, disbelief, helpless and in despair; we failed,” he wrote. “I accept responsibility for the failing of my officer and apologise unreservedly to you all.”PC Steve Faulkner was cleared because he had acted on the information that a black man had a knife. Another officer was given “words of advice” and the supervising officer, Gareth Starr, received a written warning for failing to record or investigate Jones’s allegations. Their careers continue. In October last year, Avon and Somerset police agreed to pay substantial damages to the family, including a payment for counselling. The force made a full admission under the Human Rights Act, now to be repealed by the Conservative government, that the family had been subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment by the police and that they had been discriminated against on account of Taiwo’s race. Such declarations rarely happen in civil cases brought against the police. Acting Chief Constable John Long wrote a personal letter of apology. “I fully understand why Tajudeen felt ignored, disbelief, helpless and in despair; we failed,” he wrote. “I accept responsibility for the failing of my officer and apologise unreservedly to you all.”
Long is the prime mover on taking a fresh approach to tackling racism and discrimination among his officers. His career includes 18 years in the Metropolitan police, a period of service that included the murder of PC Keith Blakelock at Broadwater Farm and the Brixton riots. He says: “Police cannot express the prejudice and bias that other people may have. When we do get that wrong, we should be open and contrite and learn from our mistakes. I am frustrated, angry and disappointed about what happened to the family. Now and in future, we can make a difference by how and whom we select to become police officers in the first place and by seeing training as a continual piece of work. Vigilance must be maintained and fair play and integrity ensured.”Long is the prime mover on taking a fresh approach to tackling racism and discrimination among his officers. His career includes 18 years in the Metropolitan police, a period of service that included the murder of PC Keith Blakelock at Broadwater Farm and the Brixton riots. He says: “Police cannot express the prejudice and bias that other people may have. When we do get that wrong, we should be open and contrite and learn from our mistakes. I am frustrated, angry and disappointed about what happened to the family. Now and in future, we can make a difference by how and whom we select to become police officers in the first place and by seeing training as a continual piece of work. Vigilance must be maintained and fair play and integrity ensured.”
He adds: “Deen is very affected by his experience but he has a passion about bringing something good out of it and I admire that. The film will remind us that compassion matters. If we are not taking on board the impact of what happens to people then as police we are not doing our job.“He adds: “Deen is very affected by his experience but he has a passion about bringing something good out of it and I admire that. The film will remind us that compassion matters. If we are not taking on board the impact of what happens to people then as police we are not doing our job.“
Naftalin says: “John Long realises there is a serious problem and he’s showing commitment in trying to tackle it. However, while the force accept that the family were victims of discrimination overall, the individual officers received what amounted to a slap on the wrist. And that happens too often. The whole process of making a complaint about police behaviour is opaque, illogical and unaccountable and has little investigative rigour. It is up to the complainant to fight his or her way through a procedure that is completely stacked against him or her.Naftalin says: “John Long realises there is a serious problem and he’s showing commitment in trying to tackle it. However, while the force accept that the family were victims of discrimination overall, the individual officers received what amounted to a slap on the wrist. And that happens too often. The whole process of making a complaint about police behaviour is opaque, illogical and unaccountable and has little investigative rigour. It is up to the complainant to fight his or her way through a procedure that is completely stacked against him or her.
“In other public services such as the NHS, there is a recognition that practitioners who fail the public should be removed. That rarely happens in the police. The complaints procedure in the main fails to root out unacceptable behaviour. In Deen’s case, we have a situation where the notion of institutional racism means the organisation is culpable but individual officers are not. That cannot be right.”“In other public services such as the NHS, there is a recognition that practitioners who fail the public should be removed. That rarely happens in the police. The complaints procedure in the main fails to root out unacceptable behaviour. In Deen’s case, we have a situation where the notion of institutional racism means the organisation is culpable but individual officers are not. That cannot be right.”
Naftalin also expresses concern about the government’s intention to replace the Human Rights Act with a British bill of rights. “This family obtained accountability for their experience through bringing a claim against the police under the Human Rights Act, resulting in a full admission that their human rights had been breached,” she points out. “The Tories have made clear their intention to repeal the Human Rights Act, which places in serious question whether a family like the Taiwo family would be able to obtain the same result under a Tory bill of rights. I think it is fair to say that the Tory proposals, together with the ongoing sabotage of legal aid, are a disaster for access to justice.”Naftalin also expresses concern about the government’s intention to replace the Human Rights Act with a British bill of rights. “This family obtained accountability for their experience through bringing a claim against the police under the Human Rights Act, resulting in a full admission that their human rights had been breached,” she points out. “The Tories have made clear their intention to repeal the Human Rights Act, which places in serious question whether a family like the Taiwo family would be able to obtain the same result under a Tory bill of rights. I think it is fair to say that the Tory proposals, together with the ongoing sabotage of legal aid, are a disaster for access to justice.”
In March, Theresa May announced that police disciplinary hearings would be held in public “to ensure that the robust response the police take to misconduct is visible and open”. Raikes and Naftalin believe the reforms do not go nearly far enough. “The police complaints procedure needs external scrutiny from the start,” Raikes says. “We have seen complaints made involving racism in hate crimes where the same officers come up again and again. We know there is something wrong when in 24 years of Sari being in business and despite a multitude of complaints on behalf of our clients, Sari has seen only a few cases that acknowledge racial discrimination. Surely they can’t all be unfounded?”In March, Theresa May announced that police disciplinary hearings would be held in public “to ensure that the robust response the police take to misconduct is visible and open”. Raikes and Naftalin believe the reforms do not go nearly far enough. “The police complaints procedure needs external scrutiny from the start,” Raikes says. “We have seen complaints made involving racism in hate crimes where the same officers come up again and again. We know there is something wrong when in 24 years of Sari being in business and despite a multitude of complaints on behalf of our clients, Sari has seen only a few cases that acknowledge racial discrimination. Surely they can’t all be unfounded?”
Andy Mundy-Castle, who like Taiwo is of Nigerian origin, says he knows how racism can work to undermine a person’s sense of self. “You begin to question your own right to complain.” The film, he says, won’t change institutional racism in the police, “but if it’s done right, it will make officers think twice before they make assumptions when they visit the scent of a crime. That matters.”Andy Mundy-Castle, who like Taiwo is of Nigerian origin, says he knows how racism can work to undermine a person’s sense of self. “You begin to question your own right to complain.” The film, he says, won’t change institutional racism in the police, “but if it’s done right, it will make officers think twice before they make assumptions when they visit the scent of a crime. That matters.”
Psychiatric reports testify to the continuing impact on the family. Three months after the event, Taiwo and Jones and their children were rehoused. Taiwo’s daughter was diagnosed with an acute stress reaction. She wet the bed, refused to go to the childminder and her eczema flared up. “She says she wants to be white because nobody likes brown people,” Jones says. She intends to set up a support group for mixed-race families. “My daughter is very aware of the word racism. Recently, she was talking to her white friend in the car about the Victorians. She said, ‘In Victorian days, I would have been murdered or your slave.’” For months after the event, Scott, now a youth support worker, received racist online threats. Another Brue Close neighbour accepted a caution for making malicious communications.Psychiatric reports testify to the continuing impact on the family. Three months after the event, Taiwo and Jones and their children were rehoused. Taiwo’s daughter was diagnosed with an acute stress reaction. She wet the bed, refused to go to the childminder and her eczema flared up. “She says she wants to be white because nobody likes brown people,” Jones says. She intends to set up a support group for mixed-race families. “My daughter is very aware of the word racism. Recently, she was talking to her white friend in the car about the Victorians. She said, ‘In Victorian days, I would have been murdered or your slave.’” For months after the event, Scott, now a youth support worker, received racist online threats. Another Brue Close neighbour accepted a caution for making malicious communications.
“Have I got justice?” asks Taiwo. “Everybody tells me that I have but I don’t see it that way.” Jones says: “Until you experience racism, until you know what it’s like to be treated unfairly again and again not because of what you do but because of the colour of your skin, you can’t begin to understand the anger and frustration. Twelve months ago, I wanted Deen to drop the struggle so we could get back to normal and get on with our lives. I could see how he was deteriorating. Now, as the mother of two mixed-race children, I know that the fight to get justice has been right. We have to fight on.”“Have I got justice?” asks Taiwo. “Everybody tells me that I have but I don’t see it that way.” Jones says: “Until you experience racism, until you know what it’s like to be treated unfairly again and again not because of what you do but because of the colour of your skin, you can’t begin to understand the anger and frustration. Twelve months ago, I wanted Deen to drop the struggle so we could get back to normal and get on with our lives. I could see how he was deteriorating. Now, as the mother of two mixed-race children, I know that the fight to get justice has been right. We have to fight on.”