Praise from policing minister

22 April 2020

Officers have been praised by policing minister Kit Malthouse for some ‘sterling work’ during the coronavirus crisis.

The minister of state for crime and policing has written to Police Federation national chair John Apter to give personal thanks to officers for their efforts to respond to the pandemic and restrictions of a Government lockdown.

He picked out the ‘courage and commitment’ of officers and said they had shown tremendous ability to adapt their roles when faced with the threat of COVID-19.

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.

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

“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. 

“We are committed to giving members all the support and resources they need to keep us all safe, while protecting the NHS and its mission to save lives. 

“So, thank you to 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.”