Chief constable meets family of Sheku Bayoh

Jo Farrell pledged that Police Scotland remained “fully committed” to assisting the chair to discharge the Inquiry’s terms of reference and that the service would address any recommendations made.

Mr Bayoh, who was 31, died on May 3, 2015, after an incident in the street in Kirkcaldy involving officers of Police Scotland.

The then Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf MSP, announced in November 2019 that a Public Inquiry would be held to examine the events surrounding the death of Mr Bayoh, the subsequent investigation and whether race was a factor. He appointed Lord Bracadale, a former High Court judge, to chair the Inquiry.

The chief constable’s private meeting in Glasgow was also a chance for Ms Farrell to build on Police Scotland’s relationship with the Bayoh family and highlight the anti-racism work being carried out to improve policing in Scotland.

She said: “I very much welcomed the opportunity to meet with the family of Sheku Bayoh and listen to their concerns.

“I took the opportunity to express my personal condolences and reiterated those of the service. I am very aware of the significant impact his death had on his family, friends, the wider community of Kirkcaldy and beyond, and serving and retired officers.

“This meeting also allowed me to underline Police Scotland’s commitment to participate in every aspect of the Public Inquiry and to positively assist the chair in discharging the terms of reference.

“Meeting directly with the family also allowed me the opportunity to highlight the extensive work ongoing under the Policing Together programme to drive a culture change towards becoming an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory service which better reflects and represents the communities we serve.”

“I repeated the assurances that both myself and the senior leadership of Police Scotland are absolutely committed to driving this work forward with a very clear determination to address any recommendations made by the inquiry.”