2 January 2024

Christmas and New Year Message from Dorset Police Federation Chair James Dimmack

As we approach the end of another busy and challenging year for Policing within Dorset I wanted to take the time to reflect on the magnificent efforts made by this year. 

This year we have again been hugely challenged by the imbalance between resource and demand.  

This has been exacerbated by the pressures on tutoring and upskilling hundreds of new and most welcome student officers. I am hopeful that in time we will some the benefits of this however there is no doubt this has placed a strain on departments across the service. This is of course what we do we “make it work”. 

That is of huge credit to all officers across the County.  

More than this though we also excel in truly harrowing circumstances. I know we deal with life changing incidents every day that go unnoticed and treated as “business as usual”. Let me assure you this is far from normal and I and the public are forever grateful for what you do and indeed what you expose yourself to. We have also celebrated numerous stand out jobs including officers teaming up to save drowning public in treacherous waters. 

This year has seen the addition of countless protests manifest themselves in Dorset. The professionalism seen when dealing with both Bibby Stockholm and the Palestinian protests has been exceptional. It is credit to the ethos and values of Dorset Police that these emotive events have passed largely without conflict or serious incident. This whilst maintain our service of business as usual. I am conscious this comes at a potential cost as officers are seemingly working harder and harder.  

Please look after yourselves and your colleagues not just on the streets but particularly in the station where there a need to decompress. 

The New Year will doubtless bring new challenges and opportunities. Regardless of what these are I am confident we as Dorset Police will perform to our best however we need to recognise we cant do everything and that is ok. I just want to thank all of you for continually walking towards danger when others run away. Continually showing huge compassion and empathy to some of the most vulnerable in society. All of this in the face of ever increasing workload and scrutiny from the public and within.  

Please be reassured you are hugely supported by the vast silent majority of society who are grateful and reassured by your magnificent service. Please stay safe and enjoy a happy festive season when ever it is shifts allowing you get to celebrate!  

Merry Christmas.