‘Officers must be better trained, protected and equipped’

3 September 2020

Hertfordshire Police Federation secretary Al Wollaston says thugs who attack police should feel the full weight of the law as he welcomed a new report into the rise of assaults on officers.

And Al says it is vital front-line officers receive the right training, protection and equipment to perform their duties safely.

Last year there were 30,679 assaults on police officers in England and Wales, or 84 a day, which led to the comprehensive Officer and Staff Safety Review being commissioned by National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) chair Martin Hewitt.

The NPCC and the College of Policing have now made 28 recommendations and want action to better protect officers.

Al said: “The statistics around assaults on police officers are appalling. One attack is too many and we need offenders to be given the toughest possible sentences to send out the message it’s not acceptable.

“We welcome this new report but it’s important that it’s not now allowed to gather dust and that the recommendations are implemented.

“Our members deserve the right support, the right training and the right kit to be able to carry out their job and to protect the public safely.”

More than 40,000 voices were canvassed for the Officer and Staff Safety Review, including the national Federation and many front-line officers.

Recommendations include training for roads policing officers, improved equipment and further research on the link between shift work and safe driving practices with the review having identified the high number of officer deaths as they travelled to and from work.

The national Federation has welcomed the report’s recommendations, but vice-chair Ché Donald said it must not just become another doorstop and be forgotten in a year’s time.

He explained: “There are many good points raised in this review, with much good work already in play. However, chief officers must now take swift action to implement all immediately, so they are meaningful, make a tangible difference and are directly felt by officers on the ground.”

And he added: “Along with the majority of the public, the Federation is appalled by the atrocious levels of violence colleagues have faced recently and has been demanding action. That’s why we welcomed this review and want to see its finding make a real difference.

“All too often my colleagues are not treated as victims when they are assaulted, leaving them feeling failed by supervisors and the criminal justice system, as they have made clear in this officer and staff survey.

“It is only right officers have the very best equipment, training and support for the dangerous job they do; we made this crystal clear in PFEW’s evidence to the review.”

The recommendations include a review of equipment, the overhaul of safety training, and a new College of Policing led national curriculum so every officer receives the same standard of tuition.

In addition, the findings contain a commitment to officers and staff about the minimum standard of support and communication they would receive should they suffer an assault, and a pledge to consider further rolling out ‘Operation Hampshire’ - the seven-point plan to reduce assaults started locally in his home force by John Apter, who is now national Federation chair.

Read the full report.