Lincolnshire inspector takes senior role in Black Police Association

Insp Jesee Karanga joined Lincolnshire Police 14 years ago

A Lincolnshire Police officer has become vice president of the National Black Police Association (NBPA).

Insp Jesee Karanga was elected to the role in the NBPA, which works to promote good race relations in UK forces and across the wider community.

He is the first officer from the Lincolnshire force to take a senior role in the organisation.

Insp Karanga, who joined the police 14 years ago, said he "couldn't be happier to be here".

He said he hoped the role would help make Lincolnshire Police the "best police force we can be".

"Being part of the NBPA at this level means I'll have the chance to feed into and influence conversations in national spaces such as government discussions," he said.

"As well as making sure locally, here in Lincolnshire, we understand and talk openly about the experiences of black colleagues and people in our communities to make sure we are actively listening and understanding."

Mr Karanga is the first officer from the force to be elected to a senior position in the National Black Police Association

Insp Karanga, who is originally from Nyeri, in Kenya, has been in a variety of roles since starting at Lincolnshire Police in 2009.

He said that he is often greeted with surprise when he tells black friends or members of the public that he is a police officer.

"A lot of people have been really shocked because they just don't think policing is a career that is available for them, and therefore not for me," he said.

"But when I start to explain about my experience, they get it much more."

He added that he had also experienced "horrendous racism".

"One person, who was a victim I went to talk to about what had happened to them, wouldn't even let me in their house because of the colour of my skin," he said.

"The ignorance and misunderstanding that comes along with that is something I hope we can change through conversation and information."