17 April 2020

Dorset Police Federation share wellbeing pack to support officers during Coronavirus pandemic

Dear members & colleagues,

As you are aware, we are currently in unprecedented and very difficult times. The COVID19 virus is currently attacking our local areas as well as the nation, the most vulnerable in our society are falling victim to its destructiveness. As Police Officers we have an extremely important role to play during this time and more is likely to be asked of you all as we move forward.

Over the coming weeks many of you will be asked to help enforce the governments message to the nation to ‘stay home’, whilst not being able to stay home yourself with your loved ones. This is on top of your normal duties and the risk of meeting those infected with the virus. This does not go unnoticed and we are aware of the pressures and the serious concerns you will have, and you will face.

I am also aware that many of you are absent from work due to the virus, whether that be for self-isolation – a family member with symptoms, self-isolation - showing symptoms yourself, or self-isolation - because you are in a high-risk group. I ask that you remember this ‘you are not letting your team down if you have to self-isolate to go home with symptoms, you need to get better and be ready to step back in when the next officer needs to be at home’.

I am concerned about you and your wellbeing, the effect that the situation, both in work and at home, may be having on you and your family. I also understand that those with family and partners who do not work in the public sector may well be facing very uncertain times in terms of employment and finance.

The contacts and information contained within this document here are not exhaustive, we are constantly working with the force to ensure that you are afforded the best protections and that regulations are complied with, Our Chair, Anna Harvey, and Branch Secretary, Ian Roe, are joining the Gold and Silver meetings daily to ensure that the force have your wellbeing at the centre of their decision making. On top of that we also have our own Simon Kempton fighting our corner at the National meetings and with the government.

The team at Dorset Police Federation are communicating regularly using technology to keep updated and feed into the full-time principals with concerns and ideas for our members and colleagues. We currently have the full support of the government and the public and this shows your critical place in managing the situation we are in.

Please contact your local Federation Representative or any of the full-time team if you have any questions or require any advice whatsoever. For any other queries, you can contact the Federation office by emailing office@dorset.polfed.org or you can leave a voicemail on 01202 223732 We are extremely proud of how you are all working and coping at this stressful time.

Sandra Rigby Welfare Lead, Dorset Police Federation