Police minister praises officers

22 April 2020

Officers have been praised by the police minister who has saluted their ‘dedication and sacrifice’ during the COVID-19 crisis.

Kit Malthouse, crime and policing minister, has written a letter giving personal thanks to officers and congratulating them for dealing with the unique challenges they are facing during the coronavirus pandemic and the Government movement restrictions.

He praised the ‘significant challenges’ they were overcoming and members’ ability to adapt to an ever-changing role in dangerous times.

“The arrival of the coronavirus in this country has created significant challenges for everyone, but particularly for our police officers of all ranks. As we face this second period of national lockdown, I want to congratulate and thank your members for their sterling work so far,” said Mr Malthouse in a letter to the Federation’s national chair, John Apter. 

“Their professionalism, good sense, and often humour, means that the precious tradition of policing by consent has been maintained. The introduction of social distancing regulations presents a unique situation for UK policing, and while the courage and commitment of officers is all too often tested, their ability to adapt to the new role of maintaining compliance has been remarkable.

“So, thank you to all officers for their work so far. We salute their dedication and sacrifice, and that of their families. As our national battle to defeat the coronavirus continues, it is a source of enormous pride and comfort to see that, as so often in past crises, it is police officers who step forward without hesitation into the front-line.”

He also pledged to give officers all the support and resources they needed to keep communities safe, while protecting the NHS.