Police Scotland to ‘strengthen relationships’ with black communities
Police Scotland has partnered with community interest company Black Professionals Scotland (BPS) to bring greater focus to how it “reflects, represents and serves communities”.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said the work with BPS will help strengthen its relationships with black communities across Scotland.
The collaboration will support police in connecting with communities through BPS networks and events. BPS members will also contribute to Police Scotland events and provide insight into black communities.
The partnership with BPS is being led by Ms Taylor, who chairs the Police Scotland Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Strategic Oversight Board. The board’s aim is to bring greater focus on how policing in Scotland reflects, represents and serves across all of its communities.
Ms Taylor, who was awarded a Queen’s Police Medal in this month’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List, said: “Police Scotland strives to be a welcoming and inclusive organisation where people feel valued and supported. We recognise the importance of creating an environment where everyone can thrive and flourish, in what is a demanding but incredibly rewarding vocation.
“Like other sectors and organisations there are areas of our society which we can better reflect, represent and serve. Progress has been made but there is much still to do to fully meet this operational necessity and moral imperative.
“I am grateful to BPS for agreeing to work with us as we seek to strengthen our relationships with black communities across Scotland.”
BPS founder and chief executive officer Enoch Adeyemi said they were pleased that Police Scotland was now officially a partner.
He added: “Having Police Scotland come on this journey with us demonstrates a willingness to work together to achieve better outcomes for black ethnic minorities in Scotland.
“Over the coming weeks and months, we will jointly be exploring various opportunities to help drive positive changes within our community.”
BPS was established to empower Scotland-based black ethnic minority professionals with skills and information to be the best they can within their chosen careers and support school and university leavers to enter the workplace.