Response Policing Wellbeing and Resilience Week: We must not overlook this vital part of policing

15 March 2021

Response officers are a “vital part of policing” and must not be overlooked, Kent Police Federation has said, as the first Response Policing Wellbeing and Resilience Week begins.

Response Policing Wellbeing and Resilience Week is taking place from 15-22 March, supported by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). Response policing equates to 26% of UK policing and its officers are on the frontline of dealing with crime.

Kent Police Federation Chairman Neil Mennie said: “It’s really important. There are many different roles within policing, but the response officers and the skills they have shouldn’t be overlooked. Although there are some areas of policing where we have specialists, a lot of the time, no matter where a job ends up, it starts by that attendance by a response police officer in the first place and this is also specialist role that it’s easy to overlook.

“They have to work shifts. They have to deal with a multitude of different calls and they really are at the front end of the business. It can be a very challenging place to be, doing response policing, because you never, ever know what call is coming next. What a call might appear to be, or what you’re told it might be, can completely change when you get there.

“It’s a very dynamic place to work and it requires a considered and careful approach. Sometimes officers have to think very quickly and at high speed and their contribution should never be underestimated. They’re a vital part of policing.”

Neil added that it was important that response officers were supported with all the kit and training they needed in order to fully perform the role, which would also “encourage others to stay on as a response officer and be an important part of policing”.

He said response officers should look out for support and events put on by the force throughout the week.

In addition, Oscar Kilo, the national police wellbeing service, is providing resources, webinars and podcasts – on themes including resilience, self care and better sleep – via its website. It will also provide a guide that officers can keep with them to help them spot signs and symptoms when things might be wrong.