Police in Northamptonshire Who Abuse Powers Are to Be Banned from Stop and Searches

A Met police officer during a stop and search operation. Photo by Tom Johnson

Read: Darren Wilson Probably Wasn’t Even the Worst Cop in Ferguson

In news that will no doubt bring joy to any teenage boy who’s been repeatedly forced to turn his pockets out in public, Northamptonshire police has decided to ban officers who abuse their powers from conducting stop and searches, the Guardian reports.

In a three-strike type situation, officers who have conducted searches that are inappropriate will be stripped of their powers. Adam Simmonds, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire Police, says that the measure has been introduced to boost public confidence in the police.

“Stop and search is an important part of policing. It helps catch criminals and offers protection to the public. But it must be used responsibly if the public are to continue to have trust in the police,” he said.

As we know, stop and search disproportionately affects young people, particularly young ethnic minorities. Simmonds conducted his own research into stop and searches, and, in Northamptonshire, at least 64 percent of people stopped and searched during the study were between the ages of 13 and 24.

The commissioner told the Guardian that he believes his system should be rolled out nationally.