The National Black Police Association (NBPA) has accused police chiefs of attempting to silence officers of colour by introducing new guidance that it claims would create a “damaging double standard”. Draft rules seen by the Guardian seek to restrict public statements from staff associations if they could be “construed to be political”, a measure the NBPA warns could prevent discussion on issues such as stop and search, the use of force, or the impact of a potential Reform government on policing and race.
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The NBPA, which represents 6,000 Black and Asian officers and staff across forces in the United Kingdom, argues the proposals would curtail its ability to hold leaders to account, while other bodies would remain free to comment. Its president, Insp Andy George, said: “This risks creating a damaging double standard. Police chiefs and the Police Federation are free to speak out against allegations of racism from the community and to praise or criticise the government on policy, yet the NBPA and other minority staff associations would be silenced.” He added that this would undermine both impartiality and freedom of expression.
Police chiefs, however, say the changes are necessary following recommendations from the policing inspectorate concerning politics in policing. Assistant Chief Constable Jon McAdam, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for staff support networks, insisted the draft guidance was not aimed at any particular group. He said: “Staff support networks do an amazing job supporting people across the police workforce. But there is no consistency of governance, scope, and structure across these networks. This has been identified as an issue for several years, including by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary as well as staff networks themselves.”
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The NBPA has also been in discussions with the Home Office regarding formal or statutory status, arguing that the Police Federation has often failed to represent Black and Asian officers effectively. In 2020, police chiefs announced a race action plan intended to address bias in policing, but the NBPA boycotted it in 2024, citing a lack of progress. The group has since re-engaged with the scheme but continues to warn that the proposed guidance risks stifling the voices of minority officers at a time when accountability remains crucial.
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