Former Police Scotland Chief Stands by ‘Institutionally Racist’ Label Amid Sheku Bayoh Inquiry

Former Police Scotland Chief Defends ‘Institutionally Racist’ Label Amid Inquiry

Kirkcaldy, Fife, England – October 6, 2023

Sir Iain Livingstone, the former chief constable of Police Scotland, asserted that the reaction to his labeling of the force as “institutionally racist” validated his claim, as heard at the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry. Livingstone, who served as chief until August 2023, addressed the inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh, a father of two who died on May 3, 2015, after being restrained by six officers.

The inquiry examines the events leading to Bayoh’s death, the subsequent police actions, and whether race played a role. Livingstone criticized the delay in determining potential misconduct charges against the involved officers, citing a nine-year wait as excessively prolonged and harmful to public trust.

Senior counsel Angela Grahame KC questioned the delays and the confusion between the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), the Professional Standards Department, and the Scottish Police Authority on misconduct responsibility. Livingstone noted the need for clarity and mentioned that alternatives, like the Independent Office of Police Complaints (IOPC) in England and Wales, though costly, could be considered.

In response to inquiries about institutional racism, Livingstone referenced an Independent Review Group (IRG) report from May 2023, which highlighted persistent instances of discrimination within Police Scotland. He emphasized that while those in senior positions might not encounter discrimination directly, it was evident among minority staff members. Livingstone concluded that acknowledging institutional racism was essential for progress.

Bayoh’s death and the inquiry continue to highlight significant issues regarding race and policing within the UK.