Part of 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:21 pm on 16 November 2022.
Thank you, Minister. The revelations, as you say, over the weekend about a former Gwent police officer and his colleagues were deeply disturbing. It is abhorrent that racist, misogynistic and sexist material is found on the phone of a police officer. Having met with members of the police federation yesterday, I know they are also disgusted with these serious allegations. If there is a culture of these views within the police, however small, it must be found and thoroughly and transparently investigated. It must then be eradicated swiftly if the public are to have full confidence in the police. Justice must be seen to be done.
What concerns do the Government have over this incident? Will more emphasis be placed on promoting community cohesion in communities where trust in the police is already not the highest, due to previous incidents? And how is the Welsh Government going to help reassure residents of the Gwent Police area and Wales more broadly that they can trust the police, who are there to protect them? Diolch.