Black History Month: ‘It’s been a fight to get here’ says Fed chair

24 October 2024

“Without a doubt, I’m still stereotyped because of my skin colour, and that has meant that I’ve had to fight to get to where I am today.”

Keith Chambers is hoping that being the first black elected chair of Derbyshire Police Federation will inspire his colleagues - whatever their race or background - to be the best version of themselves possible.

The father-of-three 53-year-old took on the post earlier this year, having first joined the police 24 years ago.

Here, he reveals how the past two decades have been nothing short of a challenge as he speaks out to mark Black History Month, which takes place annually in October.

“It was actually a mixed-race officer who inspired me to become a police officer,” recalled Keith, whose dad is Jamaican and mum was born in England.

“I was 18, and I was badly assaulted in Derbyshire city centre. It was two mixed-race officers who attended the incident, and they shined a really positive light on policing.

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Keith Chambers.

Keith joined the Force 10 years later, at the age of 29 and feels that he has had to fight to progress his career ever since.

“It would be easy for people to think that I have a massive chip on my shoulder about race and equality, but I don’t. All my friends are white, which I think says a lot - I think.

“It’s how I feel. As an organisation, I don’t think we do enough to challenge perceptions and stereotyping with regard to race.”

Police Race Action Plan

Keith drew attention to the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) that was introduced to Derbyshire Police Force back in 2022. The plan is designed to ‘improve policing for black people’.

“I know the plan exists, and I note its efforts, but I’m yet to see the benefits,” he said.

Keith continued to reveal that he feels he has got to where he is, because of his own hard work and determination.

“My white friends and colleagues have told me how they have been encouraged to go for promotion. Not once have I ever received such encouragement. While people have supported me, I’ve never felt anyone has really championed me,” Keith added.

“I’ve had discussions with other black colleagues, and they feel the same. It’s simple - people who look like me just don’t experience a smooth and effortless promotional process.”

Keith, an inspector, explained how, three years ago, he made the decision that he did not want to climb the ranks any higher.

Mission

He added: “I feel like my whole career, it’s been a fight to get anywhere. Let’s just say the door always felt shut for me.”

Now, Keith is on a mission to not just attract officers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds but to encourage the promotion of those staff members, should they be ready to rise up the ranks.

“I’m extremely proud to be the first Black elected chair of Derbyshire Police Federation,” he continued.

“I want to be visible and approachable - to all members. I want to be a role model, not just for members of the BAME community but for all colleagues.

“I’ll be working hard to improve working conditions and procedures, not just those involving race, but the Force as a whole. But ultimately, I want to inspire our members, so they want to be the best police officers they can possibly be.”