Police told to reveal ethnicity of suspects in high-profile cases
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing have encouraged police forces to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile and sensitive investigations.
The guidance encourages forces to reveal this information when there is a policing purpose to do so, such as reducing the risk to public safety, combating misinformation about an incident, or in cases of significant public interest.
The guidance expands on existing policing practice, where forces are encouraged to publicise charging decisions in serious cases.
The NPCC also noted that it is not the police’s role or responsibility to verify a suspect’s immigration status. The Home Office would decide if it is appropriate to confirm the status in each case.
NPCC lead for communications and media Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said the aim of this guidance is to provide greater consistency with how these facts are reported and improve public safety by combating disinformation.
“We saw during last summer’s disorder, as well as in several recent high-profile cases, what the major, real-world consequences can be from what information police release into the public domain,” de Reya said.
“We have to make sure our processes are fit for purpose in an age of social media speculation and where information can travel incredibly quickly across a wide range of channels.”
“Disinformation and incorrect narratives can take hold in a vacuum. It is good police work for us to fill this vacuum with the facts about issues of wider public interest.”
The NPCC said this interim guidance will be considered as part of a wider review of the College of Policing’s authorised professional practice for media relations, which will be subject to public consultation later this year.
