More needs to be done to protect officers

28 January 2020

The national Federation’s pursuits driving lead has called for more to be done to protect officer safety on the roads.

Sgt Tim Rogers is urging the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to create a national solution to the problem.

Tim said: “I am keen to ensure we look at officer safety in more detail. Too many officers are getting killed or seriously injured by people prepared to use a vehicle as a weapon.

“We are training people to the point that we stop the vehicle, tactical contact, boxing, TPAC and so on, but have nothing by way of tactics for officers once they are out of the vehicle. We need the NPCC to mandate a consistent national solution.”

Tim is due to take part in a number of discussions at the Federation’s Roads Policing Conference in Kenilworth today and tomorrow (28 and 29 January).

The conference will bring together a range of speakers who work in or have specialist knowledge of aspects of roads policing, with talks, panels and break-out sessions.

It will highlight successes, challenges and best industry practice, and cover a wide range of roads policing topics including use of drones, consistency in driver training and SMART motorways.

One of those successes is the Federation’s campaign to secure appropriate legal protection for police drivers.

After years of campaigning, the Federation has had a commitment from the new Government in the Queen’s Speech to change the legislation so that officers’ expertise and training is recognised in law.

Tim said: “Cross-party support for a change to legislation means that we will no longer be judged against the careful and competent driver that is the expected standard of drivers.

“But then we don’t expect your average ‘careful and competent driver’ to be going through red lights, crossing the carriageway or exceeding the speed limit to get to an emergency call.

“All too often police drivers have found themselves facing months, and sometimes years, of legal and conduct proceedings simply for doing their job. I am grateful for the support received from the Department for Transport, the Home Office and Her Majesty’s Government in making this significant progress.”

Tim added: “While the success of this campaign represents a major breakthrough for the Federation, I am equally pleased that our calls for a comprehensive review of roads policing have also met with Government backing.

“The review has eight key strands and marks a huge step for roads policing and a massive opportunity to improve things since the Government seems to be conceding the 10 years of cuts have impacted on our ability to keep our roads safe.”