Vaccine Rollout Strategy Is Still Leaving Officers Vulnerable

9 June 2021

OPERATIONAL officers who have not been vaccinated are still at risk every time they go on duty, according to Essex Police Federation.

Chair Laura Heggie was responding to comments by Home Secretary Priti Patel, who defended the Government’s decision to prioritise COVID-19 vaccinations by age.

Ms Patel made the comments during her keynote speech to the virtual PFEW Annual Conference today (9 June).

But Laura said: “Ms Patel said the Government stuck to the health guidance around not prioritising the vaccination of police officers over the elderly and at risk, which I can’t disagree with.

“But now the vaccination rollout has now progressed a lot further and we have moved down many age groups, we still have operational cops out there who are at risk because of their job and haven’t been protected as they should be.”

The Home Secretary praised officers for their efforts during the pandemic, saying she “had officers’ backs”. She also mentioned the need to retain experienced officers in the service.

Laura added: “It was interesting to hear the amount of emphasis that the Home Secretary was placing on the retention of officers with experience and skills and to try and stop leaving the police.

“This is an area that I feel we are still failing in as a force and officers are completely leaving or transferring force due to not feeling valued or being able to progress. So I for one would welcome or in that area as we are losing some good officers.

“Again the Home Secretary has said the right things and promises a lot, which we can only hope that she goes on to produce.”