Voyage Police Accountability Group
The mission of the Voyage Police Accountability Group is to reform police-community relationships, to break down barriers and improve support for young people.
At the heart of their efforts lies a commitment to dialogue. The Voyage Police Accountability Group recognises that meaningful change begins with open conversation. The first action of the group was to appoint an academic researcher to train them to conduct data-driven, comprehensive research that captures the real-life experiences of young people in the school system.
Voyage knows that the lived experiences of young individuals provide invaluable insights. By actively listening to these voices, we can influence policies, practices, and perception in a way that empowers the next generation. These young voices carry the seeds of change and nurturing them ensures a brighter future for us all.
One critical aspect of their work involves understanding behaviour codes. These unwritten rules govern how young people interact with authority figures in their schools. This experience of interaction has cascading, knock-on effects that influence how young people go on to interact with authority figures outside of school, primarily police officers. Some of the impacts of these policies include:
1. Compliance: Young individuals are often advised to comply with authority figures, even if they feel uncomfortable or unjustly treated. When compliance is forced it can lead to unforeseen consequences, from increased distrust, disassociation, or acceptance of unfair treatment (othering, lower ambition).
2. Fear and Anxiety: Fear of consequences—whether real or perceived—can influence behaviour. Young people may alter their actions to avoid arrest, confrontation, or negative outcomes.
3. Navigating Stereotypes: Stereotypes about race, gender, and socioeconomic status play a role. Young people may modify their behaviour to counter these stereotypes or avoid triggering them.
The Voyage Police Accountability Group aims to decode these behaviour patterns and challenge any biases or stereotypes. By doing so, they strive to foster a more equitable and just relationship between young individuals and law enforcement, ultimately promoting transparency, accountability, and positive change within our communities.
