Police minister backs Federation campaigns

19 October 2020

Hertfordshire branch secretary Al Wollaston says the Federation will continue to campaign on the issues that matter to members after receiving support from the policing minister on a range of areas.

Al said it was encouraging to have the backing of Kit Malthouse following a series of high-profile Federation campaigns.

Mr Malthouse talked about the Government's support for introducing a Police Covenant and police driver protections “as soon as possible” during an online meeting with Federation representatives.

He also said supported the idea that investigations into police officers by the Independent Office for Police Conduct should be expedited and more geared towards learning than punishment.

And he assured Fed reps that the Government will see through its promise to double the custodial sentences for those who attack officers and said he would monitor what sentences judges hand out.

Al said: “As a Federation, we’ve long been campaigning on all of these issues. We know they matter to our members, so it’s great to see them having such a cut-through.

“The issue of assaults on officers, for example, was brought to the fore in our Protect the Protectors campaign, and it’s something that we will continue to push.

“We need to ensure that thorough investigations take place, that offenders are prosecuted and that the courts use their full sentencing powers following conviction. All too often lenient sentences are handed down for those who assault our officers.”

Al added: “We’ve also been calling for a Police Covenant that recognises the unique role we play in society and focuses on protection, health and wellbeing.

“It’s only right that officers, police staff, retired colleagues and their families are given the support and protection they deserve.

“We will continue to work tirelessly for our members to make sure it’s implemented.”

Mr Malthouse, who was questioned by Fed reps on a range of issues, listed his top three priorities as getting crime down, recruiting 20,000 new officers and ensuring the police family is “happy, safe and well-motivated”.

He praised police officers for the relations they have built with communities which paid “enormous dividends” during the pandemic.

On the uplift, Mr Malthouse said he was confident that 6,000 new officers would be recruited before Christmas, which would be three months ahead of schedule.

Mr Malthouse added that the Government hopes to change the face of policing with more female and black and minority ethnic (BAME) officers also in the mix.

Al said: “It’s great that recruitment is ahead of schedule, we need as many officers as possible to ease the burden on colleagues and to tackle the issues that affect our communities.

“This recruitment process is an opportunity to change the face of policing, to make it more diverse, and to make it more reflective of our communities.”

National Federation chair John Apter added: "There’s still a feeling that those more experienced in life like ex-military or public sector, policing does not want them.

“The age profile in policing is incredibly young. I don’t criticise them for that because we want keen people through the door, but we want a blend. So, we’ve got to change the tone of the messaging.”

The Police Covenant is included in the Police Powers and Protections Bill which is due before Parliament later this year or early next. Better legal protection for police drivers is also part of the Bill.