Police Misogyny And Racism: Rebuilding Trust in Policing
Recent investigations into the Metropolitan Police have once again exposed deep-rooted issues of misogyny, racism, and misconduct, eroding confidence in policing across the UK. Public trust, already fragile after years of high-profile failures, must now be rebuilt through transparency, accountability, and genuine community engagement.
Why It Matters
Rebuilding trust in policing isn’t just about reforming internal culture - it’s about restoring the connection between communities and those who serve them. Citizens need to feel confident that they can report concerns safely, that they’ll be taken seriously, and that policing reflects the values of fairness, respect, and inclusion.
What This Means for Community Safety
Partnerships: Councils, BIDs, and local organisations can play a pivotal role by promoting joint safety initiatives that rebuild dialogue and trust.
Citizen reporting: Encouraging people to report issues anonymously and safely helps identify local risks early and strengthens accountability.
Digital tools: safety platforms like imabi Travel Guardian and imabi Pro enable two-way communication, anonymous reporting, and local alerts - helping communities and employees feel seen, heard, and protected.
How This Links to The Worker Protection Act
The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, marking its one-year anniversary this month, reinforces the UK’s wider movement toward accountability, prevention, and respect - values at the heart of rebuilding public trust in policing.
Both frameworks demand proactive responsibility from institutions to prevent harm before it happens:
The Act places a legal duty on employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment.
Policing, likewise, must take visible, preventative action to challenge discrimination, harassment, and abuse of power within its own structures.
imabi’s View
Rebuilding trust starts with listening and empowering people to take part in their own safety. Through digital innovation, education, and collaboration, imabi helps create safer, more transparent, and connected communities, where trust isn’t demanded but earned through action.