Monthly update from the Police Encounter Panel

Statement from the NE BCU Police Encounter Panel

The NE BCU Police Encounter Panel met at Plaistow Police Station on Monday, 10th November. Our panel is made up of local residents and workers from Newham and Waltham Forest who volunteer their time to review police encounters and ensure accountability in our community.

What We Reviewed

At this meeting, we examined body-worn camera footage from two incidents:

• One involving the use of a red dot taser

• One related to a Live Facial Recognition stop

We found that both incidents were handled professionally by the officers involved, and no concerns were raised by panel members.

Live Facial Recognition Discussion

We also received a presentation, with Q&A about the Live Facial Recognition (LFR) team. Panel members learned about both the potential benefits and concerns surrounding this technology.

As with all professions, the integration of technology into policing is both necessary and increasingly common in today’s world. The Metropolitan Police are no exception. While it is encouraging to see modernised operations, it remains important that these developments are accompanied by transparency, accountability, and ongoing dialogue with the community. 

Get Informed and Get Involved

We encourage community members to:

• Do your own research into Live Facial Recognition technology

• Talk to officers when LFR is deployed in your area to better understand how it’s being used

• Consider joining the Police Encounter Panel to have your voice heard

The panel appreciates the time and resources the Metropolitan Police dedicated to providing this presentation. 

Join Us

If you live or work in Newham or Waltham Forest and are interested in joining your local Police Encounter Panel, please contact:

📧 PolicingEncounters.NorthEast@met.police.uk

Community Co-chair

NE BCU Police Encounter Panel