Police officers conduct stop and search operations during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain, on August 27, 2018. — Reuters file
Britain's police complaints watchdog has urged for immediate actions to address the 'adultification' of Black children and young people during their interactions with police officers, particularly in instances involving stop and search and the use of force. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated in a recent report that 'adultification' is a form of bias where children from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities are perceived as more mature, less innocent, and less vulnerable than other children.
The IOPC identified cases where stop and search, use of force, and strip searches occurred, and officers assumed that individuals under 18 were older than they actually were, failing to apply appropriate safeguards. Home Office data revealed that young Black males aged 10-17 had the highest rate of stop and search at 106.3 per 1,000 people, in contrast to 27.1 for their white counterparts.
The IOPC emphasized the need for urgent measures to protect children from adultification during police interactions. It is essential that officers and staff comprehend how adultification can impact decision-making, leading to unjust treatment of children. IOPC Director-General Rachel Watson acknowledged improvements in how the police handle racial discrimination but stressed that more work is necessary.
Watson noted that Black communities often feel over-policed as suspects and under-protected. The report underscored the importance of the police thoroughly investigating discrimination allegations to ensure they are managed effectively from the outset, thereby boosting public confidence in the police complaints system. Research from crime and justice consultancy Crest Advisory indicated that 66% of young Black people would call the police if in danger, compared to 87% of white children and teenagers.
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