Quality policing has to be community-led - Webley
Published:Wednesday | February 2, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter
BISHOP DEREK Webley, who is of Jamaican parentage, created history two years ago when he became the first African-Caribbean chairman of a police authority in the United Kingdom.
His appointment to that post carved out a place in history for him, as he is the first independent member of the West Midlands Police Authority (WMPA) to be elected chair of that body, his predecessors being politicians.
Webley and a team of officials from the WMPA and police department visited Jamaica recently on a fact-finding mission as they prepare to host Jamaica's team in Birmingham in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics in London.
Working closely with residents and critical community organisations across the West Midlands, the WMPA has made significant breakthroughs in dismantling gangs and cooling tensions among warring factions.
Webley said his organisation is willing to offer technical advice to its Jamaican counterpart, the Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority.
"I would genuinely offer West Midlands Police Authority, its chief executive officer (Jacky Courtney) in an advisory capacity to facilitate an external voice and say this is how it works or not work," he said.
A strong proponent of community participation in the drive to restore troubled areas, Webley explains that the West Midlands Police carry out their job with ardent support from the community.
"You cannot disengage a com-munity and try and police it, intelligence comes from the community, support comes from the community. Everything about quality policing has to be community-led," he argues.
"You need to build up your capital in peace time so when you have your times of disturbances and difficulties, the capital you have built can now be utilised to deal with the crisis as we work together," he opines.
His work as a member of the clergy in Birmingham has helped him to forge a close relationship with communities.
The privilege of serving
"My day-to-day life is still embedded in the life of the community, I bury their dead, do weddings, go and pray for the sick, my ecclesiastical work has not in anyway being diluted by me having the privilege of serving the police authority.
"My position and life in the church ... has helped me to gain a better balance. You cannot bring to bear certain of your own personal view and thinking in the arena of a public issue which is affecting people," Webley says.
Birmingham, a city with a large Jamaican population has had its fair share of gang conflicts and crime.
However, a particular incident in Birmingham a few years ago where a gang fight occurred in front of children at a youth club triggered strong community reaction that subsequently led to a significant reduction in crime and violence.
According to Webley a gang member was killed in front of a number of children.
"This crossed the line for a lot of people and that was the first time there was a public march that took place in the city of Birmingham that brought a lot of people together and released those silent voices to become vociferous."
He said the churches came out in an unequivocal fashion and insisted that things had to change.
Webley's role as clergyman helped him to broker a truce between conflicting gangs.
"I have sat in a room with two gangs on each side, because I have christened one of their babies one time, and I have buried the dead of the other so they know I am neutral territory, and I have had to negotiate in that room a truce and say you can't do this."
In his capacity as chair of the WMPA, Webley said the authority holds the chief constable of the West Midlands Police accountable for the services delivered to the people of the area.
The civilian oversight body is responsible for appointing the chief constable and other senior officers. In Jamaica, the Police Service Commission appoints the commissioner of police.
The WMPA has powers to hire and fire senior members of the West Midlands Police.
Police authorities in the UK, such as the WMPA, ensure that the local police force is efficient and effective and seek to improve policing performance and standards.
The oversight authority comprises 17 members.