The stories of the crumbling relationship between the police and young blacks are endless, but one artist behind an unlikely new project hopes it can help break down barriers.
Kay Rufai was hired as artist in residence by the West Midlands police last year – probably a first for a police force. He has spent several months photographing and filming police officers and young, mostly black, people who dealt with the police. The images were then presented to the police in order to stimulate a conversation and “challenge their prejudices”.
“I wanted to use visual media because it is a powerful tool for really dealing with issues like stereotyping and bias,” said Rufai.
“In recent years, the violence affecting young people, especially young black boys, has definitely increased. Much of the political and social narrative on the subject is that these young people are gang members and that we need to monitor these communities and extend prison terms. But there was no talk of preventive measures … At the same time, I wanted to represent a human side of the police, not just PC 65609. You’re not like that – that’s a script. “
The project, called Barriers to Bridges, is funded by the Coventry City of Culture Trust and the West Midlands Police and Police Department and will be on public display in February.
Rufai, who already has experience working with young people, including for his SMILE-ing Boys project, said that there has never been anything like this in the UK. “I have never seen young people from marginalized groups and a large structural bureaucratic system like a police force brought together. It could really help make many of the changes we’re hoping for. “
Kay Rufai’s picture of David for the Barriers to Bridges project. Photo: Kay Rufai
Local youth services, including Coventry Youth Offending Service, Positive Youth Foundation, and Creative Optimistic Visions, helped make his time with young people easier. Some of the most impressive pictures taken for the police were of David being caught pulling drumsticks out of his sweatpants.
“We see him put his hand in his pocket, pull something out and then as he pulls out the drumsticks the audience says, ‘Oh, wow, I was actually thinking something else … I thought he might have tried pulling a gun ‘. “
There was also a girl who witnessed an armed robbery on her home last year. “The police kicked your door looking for weapons,” said Rufai. “Her photographs and her story had a significant impact. I think the fact that she was a girl was surprising. “
Rufai is a police abolitionist, which makes him part of a movement that seeks to replace the police with other public security systems. He was also profiled and mistakenly stopped by the police many times in his life. But he said he was encouraged by the discussions and debates he had with officers, some of whom were surprisingly vulnerable.
“There is a certain police officer I went for a walk with in an area where a young person, around 13 years old, was forcibly killed a few years ago. RIP was on one of the shop’s shutters. The officer talked about how he was a really good boy who loved to play football. The officer provided police support within the boy’s school, but was then unable to go to the neighborhood as often due to a change in roles. Sometimes he wonders if he could have prevented the child’s death. He was so visibly emotional that he actually burst into tears. He has sleepless nights over the death of this boy. “
West Midlands Police Chief Sir David Thompson is a big proponent of the residence, Rufai said. “He recognizes the need for reform. But obviously he’s in a very managerial position. The officers who presented the greatest challenge were some of those who were there. “
So the artist drove on ridesharing and asked the officials questions to question their “binary notions of good and bad” and to help them “understand the racial and social contexts before approaching a young person”.
West Midlands Police said the residence gives them an opportunity to do things differently. “It’s a really innovative way to explore the lived experiences of young people in Coventry, not only to give them a voice, but also a platform so that they can be heard. We also hoped it would give people an insight into police work and humanize the uniform to promote better understanding and empathy through honest dialogue. It is so important that we can protect young people and reduce youth violence. So why not try a different approach? “