Police Covenant words must be matched by action, says secretary

27 February 2026

The secretary of North Yorkshire Police Federation has welcomed recognition of the sacrifices made by police officers by Policing Minister Sarah Jones.

However, Tony Barnes warned that frontline staff urgently needed her words to be backed up by action from the Government.

Tony's comments follow a statement to the House of Commons by Ms Jones as she presented the latest Police Covenant annual report.

In her address, Ms Jones said the covenant reflected a shared commitment by Government, policing, and society to ensure police officers and staff ‘suffer no detriment’ as a result of their service.

Ms Jones added that the Government’s ambition was for the police workforce to be left in ‘no doubt that we are on your side and will support you’.

Protection

She added, “You do so much to protect us; it is only right that we protect you.”

Tony said her comments now needed to be backed up by actions.

“It is encouraging to hear the minister acknowledge the sacrifices involved in policing, but our members need that recognition to translate into meaningful protection on the streets and fairness in their pay packets.”

Tony highlighted figures in the covenant report that show an average of 115 police officers and staff are assaulted every day.

“That statistic is shocking and utterly unacceptable,” he said. “Violence against police must not become part of the job.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones

“We need our politicians to tone down the language they use when it comes to police officers and to think about how their rhetoric sets the tone for the public.

“And courts must use the strongest sentencing powers available to make it clear that attacking an officer will not be tolerated.”

Tony pointed to long-term pay erosion, with officers having lost more than 20% in real terms since 2010.

“You cannot tell officers you are on their side while they are struggling to pay bills or put food on the table,” he said.

“Restoring pay would be the clearest signal that the Government truly values policing.”

He added that investment in officer wellbeing was critical, particularly in light of recent suicide data published by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

Suicide

It found that more than 100 police officers and staff have died by suicide between 2022 and 2025. At least 70 police officers have died during that time and there have been more than 200 attempted suicides.

But because forces are not required to record suicide or attempted suicide, the number of incidents could be even higher, PFEW said.

Tony said: “Suicide prevention is a core purpose of the Police Covenant, and the annual report acknowledges the unique pressures we face.

“I call on the minister to take steps to implement mandatory recording, and to provide the funding to properly support the emotional and mental health of our members.

“Lives depend on it,” he added.

Read the Police Covenant annual report.