TRIDENT IAG

Foreword

I have been asked to provide a foreword that outlines the work of Trident IAG and its critical friendship with Trident Operational Command Unit (OCU). For that reason it is necessary to inform you of how and why Trident IAG came about and its aim.

Background

Trident Independent Advisory Group was formally established upon the formation of Trident Operational Command Unit in June 2000. Trident OCU is a specialist crime directorate in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that investigates gun criminality in the Black community; a unit which was supported and encouraged by community activists such as the late Arlene Mundle who died of cancer in March 2001. The Group has played a vital role in Trident OCU inception and has seen the unit grow from 200 police officers, to a unit that now accommodates more than 300 with over 70 support staff. Trident OCU is a unit that take a holistic approach when investigating shootings and murders in the Black community; a unit that works with the wider community and international police forces such as the Jamaican Constabulary to create proactive gun initiatives, all of which has undoubtedly been influenced by the work of Trident IAG.

So although the Group was formally publicised in June 2000, behind the scenes, work relating to gun crime in the Black community developed in mid 1990s. This was in a direct response to a spate of murders of young black people, which horrified the Black community but who felt powerless to do anything due to fear; fear of their conscience, fear of police incrimination, fear of institutions, fear of gunmen, fear for their family and friends" safety.

"The full horror of mothers shot and killed in front of their children changed my life and direction. I became involved. I visited those families who were victims - to give the support they needed from a cultural aspect. I want black communities to put down the arms that they are using against each other, to channel those energies and use them in a positive way that will be of value to themselves and the whole community." Cheryl Sealey, Trident IAG advisor.

The situation reached such a level where affirmative action by MPS was required. This was not only to quell the discontentment amongst the Black community about police performance, but also to gain community trust and regain the law and order on the streets of Brent, Hackney, Haringey, Lambeth and Southwark (Trident Priority Boroughs). Many people in the community rallied together to raise the profile of gun crime through local leaflets and press. Before long, the MPS realised that a dedicated unit had to be developed to look at the matter of gun crime in a holistic fashion. To that end the Trident OCU and Trident IAG were officially recognised.

Operation Trident is an initiative set up by the police in response to requests from the black community over concerns about gun crime. I am heartened by the support we have received from the community, this endorsement has enabled us to arrest and convict some of the most dangerous and violent gunmen in London."
Former Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mike Fuller,
MPS: now Chief Constable of Kent

Aim

The idea of independent advice is a model that I feel is engendered within the Black community. If you don"t know how to deal with an issue or what to say to person, you share the problem or ask an elder or someone who is more experienced. The Group therefore welcomed the Macpherson report1 that criticised MPS and recommended the rebuilding of trust and confidence among ethnic minorities, and the adoption of the IAG formula, which was recently reaffirmed as good practice in the Damilola Taylor report2.

I find it hard when parents bring their children to me for burial - young men gunned down in their prime of their lives for trivia – the pain, loss and confusion felt by families and the community is a matter of concern to me."
Reverend Ivelaw Bowman, Trident IAG advisor.

The Group therefore exists to challenge, monitor and observe Trident OCU with the end result of giving independent advice in relation to their policies, strategies and operations that affect Black communities. Some examples of the many achievements that can be credited to the Group as a result of working in partnership with Operation Trident includes developing effective media advertising campaigns and debates within the community. Developing fliers to let the wider community know what was taking place in their area and if armed police were present. Encouraging the implementation of local Trident IAGs and the development of a booklet called "Safe and Sound" that offers club owners and licensees practical information and advice on how to make their club safe from drugs and weapons.

The partnership that has now developed between Trident IAG and Trident OCU is as a result of many years of hard work, respect and a mutual understanding of each person's role and how to work together to address the gun crime problem in London.

I'm a father and a businessman but I'm also a member, along with others from the community, of the Independent Advisory Group to Operation Trident."
Anthony Brightly, Trident IAG advisor

The Group itself has 17 advisors from Hotspot Boroughs, people who volunteer their time to assist the police and community. Advisors are from visible ethnic minorities and cover a broad age range; many advisors work with young people, live in areas affected by gun crime or have been directly affected by gun crime. So for that reason, in certain cases advisors have played a role in linking with bereaved families, particularly when relatives had refused to speak with the police.

My brother got shot. I was mortified; I couldn't believe that it was happening on London's street."
Mica Paris, Singer

Future

The way forward for the Group is twofold; continue to give a responsive service to police when they require operational independent advice, and to broaden the membership of the Group to enable the emergence of new members who Trident need to communicate with. But also to adopt a strategic edge in the areas of gun crime and young people. This means applying for funds to develop proactive and preventative activities and projects in Trident Hotspot Boroughs for those young people who run the risk of becoming affected and consumed in gun crime culture. To express the views of the Group at the highest political level in relation to young people, guns and the law. To ensure that provisions are in place to ensure that victims of gun crime are adequately protected by the police and other agencies. To ensure the community has confidence in the police, judicial system, Witness Protection Programme, which in turn would encourage people to prosecute and testify at courts when an incident occurs.

"When the communities see the horrendous and cold blooded nature of the crimes that Operation Trident deals with, they are shocked. Their initial reaction is selfpreservation and the wall of silence goes up. But we are making steady progress in getting people to come forward and help us with these investigations."
Reverend Ivelaw Bowman, Trident IAG Advisor