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Community scrutiny driving better policing in Devon and Cornwall

Rev. Nathan Kiyaga and Joelene Sciberras discuss how they are ensuring policing is fair and transparent.

In 2020, concerns over heavy-handed policing during stop and search in Devon and Cornwall prompted the creation of the Devon and Cornwall Community Scrutiny Panel (DCCS Panel). Founded by Rev. Nathan Kiyaga, the Panel responds to longstanding community concerns, particularly from minority groups, regarding disproportionality and bias in policing.

At the time in Devon and Cornwall, Black individuals were 12 times more likely to be stopped and searched than the general population, despite making up only 0.2% of local people. By April 2022–March 2023, this had reduced to 4.15 times, reflecting measurable but incomplete progress towards equity.

How the Panel works

The Panel meets online monthly, reviewing body-worn video (BWV) footage and data from the previous month. Cases are selected to cover all areas, using themes based on factors such as ethnicity, age, repeat encounters, or officers with higher disproportionality rates based on the number of searches they have completed.

Footage is evaluated using established frameworks – GOWISELY for stop and search and PLANTER for use of force – and scored anonymously on a 1–9 scale, with results categorised as red, amber or green. A police liaison officer facilitates the process, while chief superintendents attend sessions to listen and act on feedback.

Membership is open to anyone over 16 who has not worked in policing in the last three years. From a modest start, the Panel has grown to over 100 members and is made up of a diverse range of backgrounds, with 19% and 4% of members coming from a Black or Asian background respectively and members’ ages spanning from 16 to 70+.

Impact and cultural change

Between December 2020 and August 2025, the Panel reviewed 421 cases, but unfortunately 161 had no BWV available. We have noted gradual improvement over time, with more cases meeting higher service standards.

The process has contributed to:

  • A cultural shift, where officers are more aware and less defensive about their actions being independently reviewed.
  • An increased openness from senior leaders, who respond quickly to feedback and have listened to those with lived experience, with a genuine willingness to learn from mistakes.
  • Reflective learning opportunities for newer officers, fostering non-defensive engagement.
  • A community of leaders who have learnt a lot about policing and act as a critical friend for policing.

Over the years we have seen a significant increase in the quality of the data that is presented for scrutiny. Since improvements in stop and search record-keeping, our scrutiny of both the data and BWV footage has been positive. We appreciate the efforts of Devon & Cornwall Police in these improvements.

Whilst there are mechanisms to escalate encounters that have caused concern, no cases reviewed by the Panel have required escalation to the IOPC. Concerns have been addressed through the reflective process - a remarkable achievement. All officers previously rated as ‘red’ in their service during an encounter are regularly reviewed by the Panel in our scrutiny meetings, and all recent encounters have positively been rated as ‘green.’

Public engagement and learning

The Panel held conferences at Exeter University in 2024 and 2025, bringing together community members, policing and students to build insight and share learning.

We also launched DCCS Satellite Panels engaging students at South Devon College and the University of Exeter, enabling more scrutiny work to be achieved by criminology and sociology students.

The results from our scrutiny work show a marked shift from predominantly ‘red’ ratings in the early years of the Panel to mostly ‘green’ in recent reviews. Our ongoing priorities include improving record-keeping, particularly in use of force reporting, to ensure consistent and reliable data for scrutiny.

Over the years we have learnt that:

  • We are better together - the police and the community they serve.
  • Accurate, complete data is essential for meaningful oversight.
  • Deleting non-evidential BWV after 31 days prevents the type of ongoing scrutiny that the Panel offers.

With all these lessons we:

  • Encourage other police forces to establish community scrutiny panels if they do not have one in place.
  • Value knowledge-sharing between panels nationwide and have been delighted to work with the Dorset community panel. If you have a panel in your policing area, get in touch with us to learn from one another.
  • Invite you to join a Panel session as a visitor - it might be the “best two hours of your month." Send us an email and we can arrange for your visit.
  • Will continue to advocate for extending the retention of non-evidential BWV from 31 days to six months, especially for negative stop and search encounters, to enable meaningful learning and supervision.

We believe that when communities and police work together in this way, trust deepens and residents are guaranteed an outstanding police service.