Norman Pascal on institutional racism, role models and the journey so far

It was in February 1999 that the Macpherson report revealed a culture of institutional racism in the police, with repercussions felt around the country.

The inquiry was damning about failings in the investigation into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in London six years prior, and set out a number of recommendations, which included a call for forces to better reflect their communities.

Norman Pascal was an officer with Avon and Somerset police at the time – one of a very small number of black recruits.

He reflects on the impact of the Macpherson report 20 years on.

“When that broke, it was an important time – particularly for black officers in the organisation,” says Norman, who retired two years ago.

“I think the Macpherson report marked a change – in fact I know it did. The Black Police Association (BPA) was set up in its wake – that was quite something.

“I’m not sure they have achieved as much as they wanted to. When you look at the numbers of BME (black and minority ethnic) staff, have we achieved those milestones? No.

“Is that from a lack of trying? I’m not sure. I still feel there is a lack of trust and confidence in the communities.”

Norman (pictured in uniform with a PCSO) was awarded an OBE after his retirement

Norman rose through the ranks from PC to chief inspector – and was Avon and Somerset’s most senior black officer, as well as chair of the force’s BPA, before his retirement in February 2017. He was awarded an OBE later that year.

Speaking about his early days in the force, Norman says: “Personally, I had a good crack in the police. I had a good living.

“When I was a cop in uniform, I was very visible – I was one of the few black officers in Bristol and people would stop and stare at me. Everybody looked at me, I found it quite strange.”

Norman recalls racist comments being commonplace when he first joined the police in the late 80s.

“I think my experience before stood me in good stead – I was quick to respond,” says Norman. “I didn’t recognise it then, but someone pointed out that my quick tongue was my coping strategy.”

In the week that marked two decades since the publication of Macpherson’s findings, a Bristol Post report detailed the culture of structural racism embedded within Bristol City Council.

Commenting on the revelations, Norman agrees that institutional racism has long been embedded rife in organisations and institutions across the city and beyond. He argues the police have come further than most in tackling this.

“Was institutional racism in other organisations 20 years ago? I’m convinced it was in all organisations in Bristol,” he states.

“I joined the force at 28, so I had a lot of life experience before I joined. I worked for British Aerospace before – it was pretty much the same [in terms of racism], but the difference was the police had the power and was very hierarchical.

“The training that the police have developed over the years – I think they are ahead of most industries.

“Some of the issues we were having to deal with as a Black Police Association – these days, the perpetrators would be sacked.”

He adds that institutional racism, and what it means, should have been better explained to the rank and file at the time.

The Runymede report, published in January 2017, revealed the extent of inequality in Bristol – ranking it one of the most racially divided cities in the UK.

Norman admits there is still a lot of work to be done to address deeply ingrained inequalities and discrimination, but argues that curbing the use of racist language has still been an important step forward.

As a child growing up in Easton, joining the force was never on the radar, but Norman says an encounter with two decent policemen changed the course of his career.

“As a kid, I hated cops,” says the retired officer. “I was stopped and searched many times as a kid in the 70s.

“Then one day, someone stole my car – I went out in the street to chase the guy and a lady in the street called the cops. Two good cops came round to my house and that was my first positive experience of the police.

“Three years after I joined up – I thought what they do is quite significant and that planted the seed in my head.”

He says his tendency to speak out probably held him back in his career, but adds that it still felt like the right thing to do. He continues to speak out about the need for more role models, particularly for young BME kids in Bristol.

“When I’m thinking about being a cop, who do I speak to? Because nobody in my community is a cop,” he says, adding: “When we talk about the force not reflecting the communities it serves, this also applies to places like Hartcliffe and Knowle West – we don’t recruit enough from there.

“The police have done a lot of work around recruitment, but I think a lot more needs to be done.

“It’s no good recruiting that one person, the whole family needs to be on board. My mum didn’t want me to join the police – she thought I’d be killed by cops. That’s what we are up against.

“When we talk about building trust and confidence, that’s so important, not just in people we are recruiting, but in family groups.

“We have to keep working on trust and confidence to get the numbers up. I still think there’s a massive journey. The communities need to be able to see it.

“It’s like seeing Marvin [Rees] being the mayor. I knew him before he was mayor and the fact he has arrived in such a senior position is so important for young BME kids.

“I think it’s really important for my kids and grandkids. There are lots of black sports stars and that’s great, but we are more than sports. Role models are really important.”

Norman says Marvin Rees is an important role model for BME kids

He says that the 20-year anniversary of the Macpherson report has helped bring some of these issues back to the foreground.

“I do believe we have grown since Stephen’s death,” says Norman. “But we are not there yet.”

Read more: Mayor responds to report of institutionalised racism in Bristol City Council