Kent Police Federation meet with Kent PCC to discuss current policing issues

8 March 2019

Wellbeing, the impact of Brexit and assaults on police officers were all discussed at a meeting between Kent Police Federation and the force’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott. Chairman Chris Carter explains more.

We have a good working relationship with the PCC Matthew Scott, and are able to talk openly about the issues affecting our members.

At our last meeting, which was really positive and productive, we discussed police officer wellbeing.

The Common Goal for Police Wellbeing, which is to be met by 2021, sees forces set standards for wellbeing. So that could involve changing the staff appraisal system to include reference to the Health and Safety Executive’s stress management standards.

We also talked about the unacceptable number of assaults on Kent Police officers and what could be done to bring this number down.

The PCC was impressed with the support that Kent Police Federation offers its members who have been subject to assault, and together we looked at whether officer safety training could highlight how officers are assaulted to improve awareness - and linked to this, we discussed Taser and its availability to officers in Kent.

The PCC noted the recent social media output from the Kent Police Federation on this subject and asked for some further evidence and suggestions from the Kent Police Federation around this matter for him to consider.

We also discussed how to improve engagement between Kent Police Federation and a wider number of MPs in the county, and looked at opportunities where engagement could take place. Where opportunities have been taken in the past, they have been very constructive.

Brexit was also covered - mainly around the impact it could have on officers trying to get to work and what happens around family commitments and leave. I was reassured that the PCC is aware of the potential impacts on officers and has engaged with Kent County Council and others to see what can be done and will continue to do so.

Finally, the PCC noted the more proactive approach to social media from Kent Federation and felt this was a positive.

More meetings are planned in throughout the year, and we look forward to working on this positive relationship.

Following the meeting, Kent PCC Matthew Scott said "I find my regular meetings with police staff associations, including the Federation, very useful. Along with the visits I pay to officers and staff across Kent to hear their experiences face-to-face, my engagement with the Federation enables me to hear first-hand how the frontline is feeling."