Guernsey Police not part of UK anti-racism plan

Guernsey Police is not signed up to an anti-racism commitment used by forces in the UK that is being reviewed following the murder of an 18-year-old.

Bodycam footage showed Henry Nowak being handcuffed and telling police "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe", after his attacker Vickrim Digwa lied saying he had been racially abused.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is reviewing the guidance with the goal of "producing equality of policing outcomes", which it said "does not mean treating everyone 'the same' or being 'colour blind'".

Guernsey's Chief Officer Damian Kitchen said the force's aim was to "provide a first class service to everyone, no matter their race or colour".

"This requires an ethical workforce with strong values, who are reflective of the community we serve, and who are committed to delivering our neighbourhood focussed policing priorities around standards, victims, public safety, and justice," he said.

"Dealing with dynamic incidents, where information is often scant or the situation unclear, is a day-to-day challenge for our officers. Open mindedness, respect, fairness and accountability is what we ask of them.

"Getting these basic principles right should mean we have no need to sign up to a specific policy or action plan, and we are not a signatory to the England and Wales document."

The document has been criticised in Westminster, with the UK Police Minister Sarah Jones saying "we think the language is wrong and it gives the wrong impression".

Digwa was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison for stabbing Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, as he walked back to his student accommodation.

On Thursday it was announced an inquest jury would consider whether "any act or omission by police officers" or delay in treatment caused or contributed to Nowak's death.

Kitchen said the case was "tragic".

"We can all learn from the dignity of his family this week," he said

"There is now quite rightly an IOPC investigation into the surrounding circumstances, which policing across the UK and beyond will of course monitor closely.

"Our thoughts from Guernsey police go out to the family and friends of Henry."

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