I’m the first in my family to go into a police station without committing a crime

Shkye previously wouldn’t have been caught anywhere near a police officer – let alone speaking to one.

But the teenager is one of around 60 young Londoners who took part in the ‘Elevated Aspirations’ programme.

It’s aim is to rebuild trust between black communities and police by giving youngsters from under-represented communities an inside look into the job and the chance to get to know the officers behind the uniform.

Police Sergeant Mensah Elliott, who has been in the Met for 21 years and helped plan the programme, said: ‘Building trust and confidence and bridging the gap between young people and policing is absolutely essential and the Met must make this a priority.

‘This programme offers something very special to young people, especially those from underrepresented groups. I witnessed, first-hand, how the mindsets of the 60 young people that took part in the programme evolved and their confidence grow.

‘They were able to see and appreciate that being part of the Met family involves a lot more than just a uniformed officer patrolling the streets or driving around London at high speeds.’

Elevated Minds work with young people in schools and communities across London, particularly in Southwark.

Although very intelligent and gifted, they typically lack access to resources, leaving them at risk of being groomed into county lines gangs.

The programme’s key aims are to divert young people from serious violence, rebuild trust in police, and introduce them to highlight to them parts of organisation they may not have seen before.  

Some of the young people on this year’s edition have worked closely with the Met for over a year on projects including the Stop and Search Charter, the Police Race Action Plan, as well as delivering Cultural Awareness Training to New Met Recruits.

They were taken on a whistle-stop tour of the organisation which included visits to the forensics team, the marine unit, mounted branch, the Territorial Support Group, and the 999 call control centre in Lambeth, where high-profile major events are managed.

The group also got the chance to handle specialist equipment, try on kit, take part in role-plays at Hendon Police School, and visit the Inner London Crown Court.

One girl on the programme told Metro: ‘I think the uniform definitely intimidates some people and makes them scared of approaching the police or asking the police for help.

‘But since you see they’re human and they have feelings too, they have families and they are really just doing their jobs, it makes people comfortable to go and talk to them about whatever issues they have.

‘I think Elevated Minds is a good programme, because I think especially Black people we have a very negative perception of the police.

‘Because of this programme, I think my eyes have opened and seen what the police do, how they impact our communities and the media only shows the negative side.

‘But I think we’re able to see the positive side of policing which is really helpful, and I think everyone should have opportunities.’

At the end of it, the youngsters got the opportunity to quiz Commander Charmain Brenyah, Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, and Chief Superintendent Dan Ivey face to face at a special roundtable and Q&A.

They were able to discuss issues that mattered to them such as the use of drones, stop and search, gang violence, and county lines.

Cmdr Brenyah told Metro: ‘We need to listen to them. They are the next generation. They are going to be the people we are policing London for.

‘They are hopefully the people who are going to be sitting in Scotland Yard in a few years’ time leading the next set of policies of how we are going to police.

‘And we are working for communities. We are not policing communities, we are working for communities.

‘In order for us to do that effectively, it has to be a two-way dialogue, it has to be conversations.

‘A lot of the best ideas around problem-solving issues concerns or knowing who is carrying out serious violence will come from community members, not necessarily from the police, so it has to be two-way.

‘Just as we need to ask questions, we also need to sit back, listen, take on board and then act on it.’

The programme was closed out with a special celebration ceremony for parents and supporters.

Ch Supt Ivey told Metro: ‘Some of the parents who were involved in the generational trauma will come and have a conversation with me and say, you know what, I’m so glad my son or daughter’s experience of the police is so positive.

‘Because I could never have imagined me doing this 30 or 40 years ago with a police officer presenting an award.’

PC Nsikan Etuk, who has been in the Met for more than 20 years and is part of the community engagement team for Southwark and Lambeth boroughs, said: ‘The programme has brought the police and the community together in ways I could only have dreamed of, and its effects will remain in the lives of the young people involved for years to come.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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