Leroy Logan MBE looking for participants for stop and search research with Westminster University

TUESDAY 02 MARCH 2021, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM --- Former superintendent Dr. Leroy Logan MBE has launched a research project looking at the impact of stop and search practices on the individual’s wellbeing. Capturing Voices: Lived experiences of stop and search is looking for participants to share their stop and search stories and how they have been affected by the experience. The research will focus on people from non-white backgrounds.

Stop and search has always been a controversial policing power. For some, it is seen as necessary for keeping our communities safe. For others, it is a cause for concern as data shows that these powers are repeatedly, and disproportionately used with people from non-white communities.

Capturing Voices will go beyond simple facts and figures, to really understand the lived experiences of people who have been stopped and searched. The team wants to hear from anyone who has been stopped and searched especially multiple times.

The long-standing advocate for better policing has partnered with Professor Coral Dando and Dr Jay-Marie McKenzie of Westminster University to investigate how stop and search measures can have long-lasting effects when implemented unnecessarily and repeated over sustained periods of time.

Logan’s story was recently featured in the Steve McQueen series Small Axe: which documented the first few years of his career in the Metropolitan Police service as one of the few Black police officers in the 1980s. His 30-year journey in the service is documented in his debut book, Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop. 

To submit your story, please head to www.leroylogan.com/yourvoice

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Editor’s Notes

• Dr. Leroy Logan, Prof. Coral Dando and Dr. Jay-Marie McKenzie are available for interview. Please contact Juanita Rosenior at TGRG on 0203 375 6024 or email artists@tgrg.co.uk

• Submissions for Capturing Voices: Lived experiences of stop and search will be ongoing.

• Dr. Leroy Logan MBE
  Dr Leroy Logan MBE is a former superintendent in the Metropolitan police. He retired in 2013 after 30 years' service. He is also a former chair and founding member of the Black Police Association. Leroy is one of the UK’s most highly decorated and well known black police officers. A highly respected and well-regarded commentator on policing in black communities, he believes that there is still much work to do in creating a more equitable and fair criminal justice system. Since his retirement, Leroy has built a reputation as a go-to person expert, using his decades of experience to give an insightful, critical analysis of current events surrounding our justice system. He’s been called upon by the likes of Channel 4, Good Morning Britain, The Guardian, LBC, BBC Radio 4, HARDTalk and more.

• Professor Coral Dando
  Coral is a Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Westminster, a Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, and Consultant Forensic Psychologist. Previously a London police officer, her research is heavily influenced by the challenges of criminal investigation and is centred on applying psychological knowledge towards improving investigative practices. Coral’s research has been funded by the UK and US governments. She has worked extensively with police, and security organisations worldwide, written numerous scientific journal articles and book chapters. She is an expert witness, regularly writes for newspapers and other media outlets, and advises television and film production companies on psychology and criminal behaviour.

• Dr Jay-Marie Mackenzie 
  Jay is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Westminster who specialises in Forensic Psychology and Suicide Prevention. Jay’s work focuses on understanding the lived experience of suicide attempts, and how individuals’ stories of their suicidal experiences can be used to help reduce and prevent suicides. She has published her work in numerous journals, and regularly discusses her work in public forums and with organisations that play a role in suicide prevention. She has worked with several organisations including the National Probation Service, The Samaritans, and Network Rail. Jay is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, as well as providing a voice to vulnerable and stigmatised groups.