Police minister’s praise for officers

22 April 2020

Officers have been praised by police minister Kit Malthouse for facing up to ‘significant challenges’ during the COVID-19 crisis.

The crime and policing minister wrote to Police Federation chair John Apter to give his personal thanks for the ‘sterling work’ of officers.

He praised the ‘courage and commitment’ of members and their ability to adapt their roles in dangerous times during the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Malthouse wrote: “The introduction of social distancing regulations presents a unique situation for UK policing, and while the courage and commitment of officers is all too often tested, their ability to adapt to the new role of maintaining compliance has been remarkable. 

“The resilience of forces across the country has also been reassuring, with absence rates falling as officers return to duty from isolation in numbers. Their commitment is appreciated, as is the eagerness with which many are now focusing on those high harm individuals and groups who are increasingly in plain sight. 

“Their professionalism, good sense, and often humour, means that the precious tradition of policing by consent has been maintained.”

He also committed to giving officers all the support and resources they needed to keep the public safe while protecting the NHS.

The police minister concluded: “Thank you to you and all officers for their work so far. We salute their dedication and sacrifice, and that of their families.As our national battle to defeat coronavirus continues, it is a source of enormous pride and comfort to see that, as so often in past crises, it is police officers who step forward without hesitation into the front-line.”