The Northern Police Monitoring Project (NPMP), in conjunction with NETPOL, is looking to train Community Monitors in how to observe and deal with police acting unlawfully within their areas.
Community Monitoring is a model of community organising that seeks to deter police harassment or misconduct by monitoring the police and providing independent rights information and support to communities. Community Monitors work on the ground, in teams, acting as independent observers monitoring human rights and assisting individuals or groups to access redress.
The idea has been successfully piloted in the past two years in London and Birmingham in areas where reports of disproportionate or discriminatory police treatment are common particularly against young people, people from black, Asian, minority ethnic, refugee or working class backgrounds.
The project will now be piloting in Manchester, funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. The provision of Human Rights Monitors is a long established tradition dating back to the 1930s, acting as the eyes and ears of those on the ground and providing unique support to communities including during public events and protests.
Community Monitors can play a pivotal role in supporting their communities by:
Being present on the ground to listen to, observe and respond to community concerns
Ensuring people are aware of and can utilise their rights by distributing rights information
Monitoring, recording and reporting back any treatment by the police or security officers that appears unlawful, discriminatory or improper
Signposting people to access independent advice, support and legal referral for arrest and detention
The training will cover understanding the role of Community Monitors, an overview of human rights issues and the law in relation to this, Stop and Search powers, dispersal zones, curfew powers, arrest and detention.
The training is open to anyone over the age of 18 and takes place at Sustained Theatre Up North (STUN), Z-Arts Centre, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester M15 5ZA.
For further details email whopolicesthepolice@gmail.com or see the website click here
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