Islington’s top cop faces grilling from borough’s young people
Islington Borough Commander Gerry Campbell is cross examined by young people at City YMCA London - Credit: Archant
Young people from City YMCA London had the opportunity to quiz Islington’s top officer in the wake of the Mark Duggan verdict.
The meeting took place last week between the borough commander, Det Ch Sup Gerry Campbell, and a group of 16 to 24-year-olds, who were given a chance to share their experiences with the police.
They suggested ways the police could work to improve relations and trust within the community, as well as discussing the issue of stop and search in the borough.
Det Ch Supt Campbell said: “I welcome this opportunity to meet with the young people from the YMCA as I wanted to hear their experiences and views first-hand and so that they could directly ask me questions about policing and our actions.
“By learning from the young people’s experiences their responses will be used to help to improve ways of engaging and working together with young people across Islington and London.”
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City YMCA already works in an advisory capacity alongside Islington Police, with Clive Tachie, a member of the charity’s youth work team, chairing the Islington Stop and Search Monitoring Group (ISSMG).
The ISSMG provides an open forum for members of the public and representatives from key organisations to monitor the use of stop and search locally.
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Gillian Bowen, the chief executive of City YMCA London, added: “This is a very important opportunity for young people to have their voice heard by the police at the highest level.
‘‘It was an opportunity which many of our young people would never have expected to be given.
“We are very pleased that Det Ch Supt Gerry Campbell has chosen to visit YMCA and that he recognises the vital role we play within the local community.
