Response policing: week of action

18 March 2021

The launch of an initiative to recognise and celebrate the work of response police officers has been welcomed by the chair of Derbyshire Police Federation.

Tony Wetton says the National Police Chiefs’ Council Response Policing Wellbeing and Recognition ‘Week of Action’, which began on Monday and is also aimed at making officers aware of the resources available to help them with any wellbeing issues, could not have come at a better time.

He said: “My colleagues’ welfare is always a concern and a priority but policing the pandemic for a year has had a devastating impact on some officers already as they are exhausted physically and mentally. I fear the long-term effects will also be significant, particularly in terms of mental health.

“This initiative to acknowledge officers’ hard work and highlight that physical and mental wellbeing issues are being listened to and addressed with what is a vast bank of help and support, could not have come at a better time.”

The NPCC has worked with Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), the College of Policing and the Police Federation to deliver a range of wellbeing and resilience initiatives, co-ordinated specifically for response officers’ needs, during this week.

Wellbeing vans will be deployed across the UK and wellbeing dogs will be available to some forces, along with a series of Oscar Kilo webinars around sleep, fatigue and resilience and toolkits for self-care and compassion.

A number of engagement opportunities for frontline officers will take place, including a #WECOPS response policing conversation with NPCC wellbeing lead Chief Constable Andy Rhodes and response policing lead Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.

DCC Kennedy said: “The aim of the week of action is for response officers to be heard and valued, to see their workplace successes celebrated, to know that their wellbeing is important and to understand how and where to seek support when it is needed.

“These officers routinely face and deal with some of the most challenging and difficult situations in society. They are frequently the first on the scene whenever an incident occurs, and they are often the first and only contact that many ever have with the police service. It is only right that they feel supported in the work they do.

“I encourage all senior leaders in policing to get involved with this initiative and to ensure that every opportunity is taken to recognise and celebrate the incredible work these officers do every day”.

Chief Constable Rhodes added: “It is important to know that this is not just a one-off event; we want to use this week as an opportunity to let officers know that support is available to them and to their forces, all year round. The wellbeing of officers and staff is a priority for all police chiefs. We are always listening and support will always be there for those who need it.”