Federation Chair thanks officers for professionalism and dedication during port closure

23 December 2020

Kent Police Officers are working long shifts and extended shifts. 

This is a testament to their professionalism and dedication. We wish them all well and quite simply say thank you. 

Keep going folks you are quite simply the best!

Kent Police Federation Chair Neil Mennie told BBC Radio 4 this evening “This closure of the ports came fairly suddenly and without warning and we are trying to react to it in the best way we can but it is indeed placing quite substantial pressure on our officers here in Kent at the moment.

“Kent Officers are working long shifts and extended shifts. Some of them have been on shift for 24-25 hours, so we are working extremely hard.

“Part of policing this is trying to keep the situation calm and managing the drivers. But of course this isn’t just about the police, we really do need a multi-agency approach here, things like you’ve described, feeding, watering and information aren’t just in the sole remit of the police.

“An important message I’d like to share on behalf of our members to everyone is please do not come to Kent. If you are hauler don’t come to Kent, if you are foot passenger trying to leave the country please don’t come to Kent unless you have a negative covid test. Please do not come unless you absolutely have to because it is chaotic at the moment.”