Two-tier policing not welcome in Sussex

Below is an article from Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne: 

There have been a lot of claims by politicians and commentators over recent months that there is a two-tier system of policing in Britain. This has prompted a national debate about whether police chiefs have been captivated by the arguments of those who assert that police should NOT treat all ethnic groups equally. 

Some campaigners have long held that police forces are institutionally racist and that, no matter how well intentioned and educated police officers are, they suffer from unconscious bias. Such sweeping generalisations are unhelpful and counterproductive.

It is, however, an uncomfortable truth that, in seeking to address past prejudices and discrimination, many public services have disproportionately adopted extreme Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies. This has made employees - and police officers in particular - fearful of accusations of racism or other transgressions and undermines the application of common sense and professionalism of our public servants.

We are now seeing more officers push back against what they see as unnecessary and unreasonable interference. I am pleased that a few Police Chiefs have finally found the courage to say the pendulum has swung too far towards abstract ideas and away from good, old-fashioned policing based on public consent and impartiality.

When asked about this on a recent BBC Politics programme, I stated that I did not countenance two-tier policing in Sussex.  Indeed, Sussex Police had not succumbed to the performative “taking the knee” in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the Chief Constable and I have been clear that Sussex Police is not institutionally racist.

Every day, police officers use professional discretion and judgement to make decisions, guided by the National Intelligence Model (NIM) - a dynamic process that weighs up changing information or intelligence about an incident. Officers also abide by their Code of Ethics - acting fairly, impartially and in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Two-tier policing implies a decision by police officers to treat people differently based on conscious or unconscious discrimination that is neither justified, lawful or reasonable within the provisions of the NIM and the professional training officers undergo.

Sussex Police is also subject to oversight by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC); His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services; and by me, the locally elected Police and Crime Commissioner. Complaints from the public are investigated and misconduct is subject to disciplinary procedures. These layers of scrutiny are designed to identify and correct any instances where policing might fall short of expected standards, ensuring transparency and public confidence.

Police forces, including Sussex, routinely review statistics on arrests, stop and search, and use of force, to identify patterns and address disparities. Where disproportionality is identified, forces are expected to examine the causes and take corrective action.

In my most recent Performance and Accountability Meeting 18 June, I directly asked the Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) if he could reassure the public that there was no two-tier policing in Sussex:

DCC Court referenced the policing of the recent anti-immigration demonstration in Brighton that was met with a very large counter demonstration with around 4,000 people in the centre of the city. He said “Sussex Police are acknowledged experts in public order policing with many protests every year compared to most other forces. We police in line with our human rights’ obligations and in line with our Code of Ethics and with impartiality and what we saw in the protest in Brighton was a demonstration of just how Sussex police will balance the needs of all people.”

You can watch the PAM on our archive here: Sussex Performance & Accountability Meeting - 18 June 2026 - Thursday 18 June 2026, 2:00pm - Sussex PCC Webcasting

Millions of people have now seen the distressing police video footage of Hampshire officers arresting Henry Nowak who had been fatally stabbed. We need to understand what went so terribly wrong during the initial police response to the incident, and we need the IOPC investigation to swiftly determine what, if any, factors influenced the officers’ decision-making.

We rightly expect our police officers to protect life and, every day, thousands of police officers carry out their duties professionally, capably and with the public’s consent. I thank them for their dedication and commitment.

However, the National Police Chief Council’s Anti-Racism Commitment expressly encourages officers not to be colour blind to historical context and the unique experience of different ethnic groups. Like me, several other PCCs were unhappy when this was introduced as it appears to contradict the oath of police impartiality.

We need to determine if well-intentioned principles about policing all individuals and communities equally have been undermined by this new guidance.  In volatile times we can ill afford for the public to lose faith in police impartiality so I completely support the calls for a swift review of police anti-racism guidance.

I will also be seeking assurances from our Chief Constable that that EDI training in Sussex Police will not create any adverse incentives for how the police treat the public fairly and equally.