Transparent

Summary

Transparency is vital for public trust in the use of stop and search powers, enabling the community to understand their use and assess their impact. This requires data that is of high quality for meaningful trends analysis. Police officers must record encounters in detail for review purposes. Supervisors are required to monitor their team's use of these powers and address identified issues. Senior officers must ensure proper data analysis and public scrutiny. The Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme (BUSSS) promotes transparency standards, ensuring that data is made available for public evaluation of stop and search outcomes. Enhanced community oversight and engagement through consultations and scrutiny panels further strengthen transparency efforts in policing practices.

Key principles

• 1Use of stop and search powers must be transparent and accountable.
• 2Accurate recording of all encounters is mandatory.
• 3Monitoring and supervision are essential at all levels.
• 4Community oversight is critical for trust and legitimacy.
• 5Records must include mandatory details as specified by laws and policies.

Defined terms

Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme (BUSSS)

The Home Office and College of Policing's initiative aimed at promoting best practices for stop and search.

Code A

Part of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, providing guidelines for police stop and search procedures.

EIP search

Search exposing intimate parts of the body.

Section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA)

Allows police to stop and search individuals without suspicion in designated areas during specific circumstances.

Section 163 Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA)

Sets out powers for the police concerning the stopping of vehicles.