Campaign calls for return to double-crewing for frontline officers

12 October 2022

Hertfordshire Police Federation has launched a campaign which aims to ensure frontline officers are double-crewed.

Branch chair Luke Mitchell and secretary Al Wollaston are in consultation with the Force after Police Federation research practitioner Mary Elliot-Davies shared the findings of her recent study of singled-crewed policing and its impact on officer stress and decision-making.

Luke said:  “The report from Mary Elliot-Davies makes really interesting reading. There is a lot in there that for us highlights the advantages of being double-crewed.

“We really want to push this with the Force. We are engaging with senior officers around it and likewise they are doing some work around it to better understand the merits of double-crewing.”

Luke said the research found that police officers and the communities they serve all benefited from double-crewing, which has gradually become less and less commonplace over the last decade.

“We have a young workforce at the moment and assaults against officers are on the rise,” he said.

“Our younger members are still trying to learn their trade so being double-crewed would benefit them but also provide a better service to the public.

“And obviously when it comes to officer wellbeing, we believe being double-crewed cuts down on the number of assaults.

“There is also really strong evidence to show that officers who are single-crewed are much more likely to use their Taser.”

Luke said the report encourages senior management to give frontline supervisors the freedom to make decisions around resourcing.

“It shouldn’t be for the senior executive to dictate whether officers are single or double-crewed. Those decisions should be made on their merits by sergeants and inspectors,” he said.

“Members of the public would receive a better service, officers would feel more supported.
“We want the Force to be brave and to trial this as soon as possible.”

Luke said evidence from the Police Federation pay and morale survey would also be used as part of the campaign for double-crewing.

He said: “We have had a really good response so far to the pay and morale survey and the deadline has been extended to 17 October.

“But I would urge any member who is yet to take part to get in their inbox, find the email and fill in the survey because a lot of the questions are related to issues around single-crewing such as morale and safety.

“I need all that evidence captured so I am making a final plea to members to fill in the survey. It really is important.”