Federation vice-chair urges officers to wear face coverings

14 July 2020

National Federation vice-chair Ché Donald has urged police officers to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

His comments come as the Government announced that wearing face coverings in shops and supermarkets will be mandatory in England from 24 July. Face coverings are already compulsory on public transport.

Some 600,000 masks have been distributed to forces across the country with guidance that officers should be wearing them – or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) masks – where possible.

Ché said: “Evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect the wearer, but if you're infected without knowing it, or asymptomatic, this can help prevent the spread of the virus if you cough in proximity to colleagues.

“The danger is, as the pubs reopen and the shops, a complacency can creep in that the virus has gone away - it hasn't. It's important that all of us continue to follow the guidance.”

His call has been backed by Humberside Police Federation chair Pete Musgrave.

He said: “It appears that the number of officers wearing masks and gloves is falling but we’re getting busier as lockdown restrictions are being eased. It’s up to us to protect ourselves, our colleagues, our families and the public and to minimise the spread of coronavirus, and that includes wearing face masks wherever possible.

“It should be part of a range of steps, including washing our hands, maintaining a safe distance where possible and wiping down keyboards after use. These are all things that can help to prevent transmission of the virus.

“Our members come into contact with people every day, and I think it’s up to us to set a positive example. For a lot of people, seeing officers wearing masks will reinforce the message and underline the fact that coronavirus has not gone away.”

Earlier this week, Lancashire Chief Constable Andy Rhodes, recorded a video, demonstrating the face covering.

He said: “We are here to keep ourselves safe and our colleagues safe and also our families. If you are contacted by the Test Track and Trace system, they will take into account whether you have been wearing things like PPE and face coverings and it may well mean because you have been wearing these that you don't have to isolate for 14 days.” 

Simon Kempton, the Federation’s operational policing lead, has written a blog on face masks.

And national chair John Apter has issued a statement about policing mask-wearing in shops.