South Yorkshire Police’s Positive Action Scheme: Building Trust with Black Communities
South Yorkshire Police’s efforts to improve confidence among Black and Black-heritage communities came under close examination on AVP Radio’s Inside The Continent. The force held two online community events in July as part of wider efforts to address under-representation, strengthen relationships and improve accountability. But the central question for the programme was whether those conversations will lead to visible and lasting change.
Host Baillor Jalloh was joined by Sergeant Joseph Gourdin, Positive Action Officer, and Pamella Russell, Witness Liaison Officer, from South Yorkshire Police. The discussion focused on what progress should look like in practice — and how communities can judge whether their concerns have been heard and acted upon.
From consultation to action
A key part of the conversation examined the two online events held in July. The programme considered who took part, which communities were represented, what issues were raised and what action is expected to follow. For many communities, attending a consultation is only the beginning. Confidence depends on seeing a clear record of what was discussed, knowing who is responsible for taking work forward and being given realistic timescales for delivery. The programme therefore asked whether the July sessions were recruitment events, Race Action Plan consultations or a combination of both, and how South Yorkshire Police intends to report back to participants and the wider public.
Stop and search and the question of fairness
Stop and search was another major focus. The programme explored the disparity in stop and search rates affecting Black residents, alongside the wider question of how the force measures fairness and disproportionality. It also considered the importance of accurate recording and transparent public reporting when assessing the experience of different communities. The discussion asked what specific steps South Yorkshire Police is taking to address the gap, how progress is being measured and when updated information will be made available.
Use of force and Taser data
The programme also looked at the way use-of-force and Taser figures are presented. Different measures can produce different pictures of policing. A population-rate comparison may raise concerns about disproportionality, while an arrest-rate measure may suggest a different pattern. Inside The Continent examined how communities should understand those figures and what conclusions can reasonably be drawn from them.
The conversation also considered whether the force is examining the earlier decisions that shape who becomes a suspect or is arrested, as well as what has changed since the most recent data period.
Representation, recruitment and progression
South Yorkshire Police’s positive action scheme was discussed in the context of recruitment and career progression. The programme explored whether expressions of interest are becoming applications, successful appointments and serving officers or staff. It also asked how the force tracks Black-specific recruitment, retention and promotion figures, and where applicants may be lost during the process. For positive action to deliver meaningful change, the discussion highlighted the need for more than encouraging people to express an interest. Communities also need access to mentoring, application guidance and preparation, alongside clear evidence of outcomes.
Who influences policing decisions?
The programme questioned whether community engagement is leading to genuine influence, rather than simply recording attendance at meetings.
That includes asking whose voices are represented in advisory structures and how South Yorkshire Police reaches people who may distrust the police or feel unable to attend police-led events. The discussion also considered whether community members can identify decisions that have changed as a direct result of their input. Representation was considered across a range of experiences, including African, Caribbean, mixed-heritage, women, young, migrant, disabled and faith communities.
What happens next?
The discussion comes as South Yorkshire Police prepares for a Race Action Plan assessment expected by September. The assessment is intended to provide a further opportunity to consider progress, identify gaps and determine what should happen next. For Black communities across South Yorkshire, the value of that process will depend on how openly the findings are published, whether community scoring is visible and whether incomplete actions are matched with named owners and deadlines. The message from Inside The Continent was clear: accountability cannot end when a meeting closes. It must be seen in the decisions that follow, the data that is published and the improvements that communities can experience for themselves.
Inside The Continent is presented by Baillor Jalloh on AVP Radio.
