Police forces get updated Ramadan policing guide

• Aparna Sreevalsan
• 4 April, 2022

By: Aparna Sreevalsan

With Ramadan starting in the UK, the College of Policing in collaboration with the National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) have released an updated guidance document for police forces in England and Wales. The document aims to help both serving Muslim police officers and colleagues who may have to interact with members of the Muslim community at this time – regarded as the holiest in the annual Muslim calendar.

Alexander Gent, NAMP chair said: “NAMP’s aims are centred on supporting its members, local communities, and policing. One of these aims is to promote understanding of Islam. “NAMP and the College of Policing have worked together to produce this document providing workplace adjustments and operational guidance for police forces to consider during this holy month. This will help support Muslims within the police service as well as improving community relations.”

The recommendations made in the guidance for the following areas aim to ensure inclusivity, provide Muslim personnel with a greater sense of belonging, build trust and confidence with the Muslim community, improve community cohesion, and promote positive impact on attraction to the police service.

•    The document covers
•    Searches and warrants
•    Police custody
•    Those officers dealing with Muslim members of the public during this period
•    Muslim personnel and managers
•    One-to-one meetings and key considerations
•    Community engagements during this period

Yasmin Parvez, Chair of the Muslim Network, College of Policing, said: “Many of the Association of Muslim Police networks including our Muslim Network at the College of Policing have contributed to producing the guidance to provide forces with the knowledge and tools to support inclusion within the workplace and continue to strengthen our relationships with Muslim communities. Ramadan is a good opportunity to engage with your Muslim Networks and communities, develop your knowledge of Islam and show your support through getting involved in activities. For example, our network is holding an Iftar event and sponsored fasting.”

NAMP is a staff network which was founded in 2007. NAMP actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and leads on several initiatives to facilitate better workplace environments for Muslims. NAMP has been releasing Policing Guidance for Ramadan for the past two years.