Of African heritage MET's new head of diversity
Chief superintendent Victor Olisa is Scotland Yard’s new head of diversity and inclusion.
“We’ve come a long way but there’s still more we can do to become a police service that’s more diverse and inclusive,” said the Officer in a recent BBC interview.
A biochemistry graduate, Olisa, whose heritage comes from Nigeria’s Delta State, grew up in Manchester, joined the police force in 1982 as part of a drive to attract more officers from ethnic minorities in an effort to make the force more representative of contemporary society.
A young Olisa started his career with Surrey Police in the months following the publication the Scarman Report - a dossier highlighting discrimination within the force. The report was a direct result of the 1981 Brixton riots, which were, in effect, a protest over the aggressive and disproportionate use of stop and search powers against black youths. A decade later, married father-of-two Olisa worked with the Home Office to reform the criteria behind police stop & searches - to improve effectiveness and, more importantly, fairness.
“It has been a tremendous three years for me in Haringey,” said Olisa referring to his post as north London borough Commander, “a time that I have enjoyed immensely and during which I have had the good fortune to work with many extraordinary members of the community and partner agencies, and many brilliant officers and staff.
We have achieved significant reductions in crime, seen confidence in the police increase and developed strong working relationship with many different communities and partner agencies. I shall miss working here greatly.”
Youmanity wishes Chief Superintendent Olisa all the very best with his new position.
