Kent Police Federation encourages members to have their voice heard in Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey

12 October 2020

Kent Police Federation is encouraging officers to take a few moments out of their day to fill in the PFEW’s 2020 Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey.

The annual survey, now in its third year, offers officers the chance to have their views on what they see as the main challenges facing policing and how demand over the past year has impacted on them.

COVID-19 and how officers have dealt with it out on the frontline is not surprisingly a key theme and the Federation also wants to hear members’ view on the planned 20,000 new police officer recruitment drive.

Kent Police Federation Chairman Neil Mennie said he hoped members would take a few moments to fill in the survey given its importance to the future direction of policing.

“The survey is directly linked to how officers are coping and feeling out there, not just around COVID but around the general demands being placed on them,” he said.

“The survey is a critical part of understanding how stretched officers have been by COVID and everything outside of that.

“It’s really important and while we of course know people are really busy we hope that people will take the time to fill in the survey.”

The data and feedback it provides helps the Federation to lobby for change on officers’ behalf Neil added.

“It drives what we as a Federation does moving forward,” he said.

“Having the data is so important to understand what the issues are. The last survey was shocking around officers’ finances for instance.

“I don’t think anyone realised just how badly some officers were struggling with their money and trying to get mortgages for example.”

That survey was well supported with a high completion rate and Neil hopes to see similar support for it from members this year, particularly as COVID has dominated the draw on police resources.

“It’s crucial we get a good number of officers taking part so please take the time to fill the survey in.

“It should be in all officers’ inboxes, but if not please get hold of the Federation Office who will provide you with the link.”