How were various groups of color treated by the Police in Great Britain

Immigrant populations in particular the British Chinese, South Asians and African-Caribbean people have been the victims of institutionalized racism from the police force, for instance (Loftus, 2008). The treatment of different groups of color by the police included arrests without basis, brutal and unnecessary violence, the framing of suspects for offences they did not commit (Phillips & Bowling, 2017). One of the most efficacious ways through which to analyze the treatment of people of color over the years is to perform a thorough analysis of newspaper articles over time with a focus on those articles that speak of complaints, incidents and repots surrounding the handling of people of color by the police. The interactions between the police and members of communities of color have been the subject of multiple influences including changes that have been initiated by activists, senior officials and judicial judgments over a number of years.

In the 1950s, reports of assault by British police officers on immigrants were common. He was twice told to bow to a uniformed officer” (Times, June 8, 1959). The fact that the woman who Thomas talked to did not even reply, and that trying to ask her on how to access cigarettes from a machine was treated like a serious crime proves that prejudice against people of color was at the time deep-rooted within the police force. The act of the two police officers to instruct him to bow before them also represents the concept that some races are superior while others are inferior, and in this context, people of color are seen to be treated as an inferior race. The 1950s also represent a time when officers could get away of needlessly engaging in acts of violence against people of color.

For instance, police constable Malcolm Siler, a Metropolitan Police Officer posted for duty at Harlington was allowed to free when a summon against him by a colored man for assaulting him while in the police car headed to the station. and was 6 ft. 4 in tall, was accused of making an unprovoked brutal attack with a truncheon on Artnell King, a West Indian, in the latter’ sown residence and in front of his wide. King’s account was that police-constable Omar rushed past his wife and said: “I have been informed about you” before attacking him with a truncheon on the head to the extent that he was bleeding profusely (Times, December 6, 1960). On the other hand, police-constable Omer claimed that king slammed the door in his face before kneeing and elbowing him repeatedly.

The constable also added that King forced him to use his truncheon because he was overpowering him. Holley, the officer who received the payment, broke into Mr. Hawley’s apartment and planted Indian hemp and thus apprehended him on charges of being in possession of illegal substances (Times, January 9, 1963). Nonetheless, Mosey, his accomplice, was questioned by a team of detectives that unearthed the truth behind the case and acquitted the colored man of the charges against him. Mr. Hawley was also compensated with 50 guinea costs. Arthur Evans, the general Secretary of the Police Federation said” I do not believe it-either in London or anywhere else”( Times, April 28,1966). Nonetheless, by 1969, Commons Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration had visited areas with a high concentration of colored people and heard of their complaints against the police.

In a report by the Committee, the following statement to support the existence of racism in the police force was seen, “Both white and colored young people confirm bias against colored’s” (Times, march 13, 1969). In the face of a militant change in the attitudes of colored people toward police brutality against them as seen in violent demonstrations staged by this population, it became clear to senior officers that the institutionalized racism had bred serious problems. However, a 1970 news report confessed that “It is not yet obvious that the main problem-that of young West Indians brought up in Britain-has been recognized” (Times, August 11, 1970). Phillips, C. , & Bowling, B. Ethnicities, racism, crime, and criminal justice.  The Oxford handbook of criminology. 6th ed. The Times.