The problem
Deaths at the hands of the police happen at the sharp end of the marginalisation of people affected by mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, poverty and racism.
The police subject people to pursuit, violence, and use of force including restraint, Tasers and shooting. In police custody, police neglect people’s mental and physical health.
Police are rarely held accountable for their actions, investigations and inquests do not robustly challenge police powers, families are sidelined, and deaths continue.
Our work
INQUEST exposes the systemic harms of policing, challenges the use of force, supports families seeking truth and answers, and campaigns for community-based responses to harm rooted in dignity, care and transformative justice.
Our demands
Today
- The government, police watchdog and justice system ensure police officers are held accountable when they use force or kill.
- The Home Office roll back on their decision to expand police anonymity provisions.
- The Home Office and police act on recommendations from inquests and investigations and to prevent further deaths.
Tomorrow
- The government develops community-based solutions to harm that allow people and communities be supported and live fulfilling lives.
- The government moves away from policing as a response to social issues and reinvests in community-based services such as welfare, housing, specialist drug and alcohol services, and education.
