Covenant must deliver change for frontline officers, says secretary

19 February 2026

The secretary of Nottinghamshire Police Federation has challenged the Policing Minister to demonstrate she stands with police officers by delivering ‘tangible change’.

Tom Hill was speaking after Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP presented the annual report of the Police Covenant to the House of Commons.

In her statement, Ms Jones said: “The Police Covenant demonstrates a recognition by Government, policing and society of the sacrifices involved in police work.

“The Covenant sets out to ensure that members of the police workforce suffer no detriment as a result of their role.”

She added: “It is my ambition, and that of the Government as a whole, that the covenant should leave the police workforce in no doubt that we are on your side and will support you.

Protect

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

Branch secretary Tom said many officers would welcome the minister’s words but want to see it backed up by meaningful action.

Tom said: “Year after year, our members hear these assurances, but what they need now is ‘tangible change’.

“Officers want to know that the Government’s support goes beyond warm words and is backed up by decisions that improve their safety, wellbeing, and financial security.”

The Police Covenant report highlighted is the scale of violence faced by officers and staff. It showed that an average of 115 police officers and staff are assaulted every day across England and Wales.

Tom said: “This level of violence would be unacceptable in any other profession, and policing should be no different.

“Our members are being assaulted simply for doing their jobs, and all too often it’s brushed aside as a part of policing.

“That has to change. The Government, the courts and the wider criminal justice system must send a clear message that attacks on police officers will carry serious consequences.”

Tom also called on Ms Jones to tackle the severe cost-of-living pressures facing officers after more than a decade of real-terms pay erosion.

He said: “Police pay has fallen around 21 per cent in the past 10 years or so, and the impact on morale and retention is obvious.

“If the minister wants officers to believe she is on our side, restoring police pay would be the clearest and quickest way to show it.”

Suicide prevention

Tom said that mental health and suicide prevention, core aims of the Police Covenant, should be urgent priorities.

Data recently released by the Police Federation of England and Wales showed that more than 100 police officers and staff died by suicide between 2022 and 2025, with more than 200 attempted suicides recorded in the same period. The Federation has warned that the true figure is likely higher due to inconsistent recording across forces.

Tom said: “These are devastating figures, but without mandatory national recording, we still don’t have the full picture.

“This is a hidden crisis within policing, and I’d urge the minister to raise in Parliament the need for the recording of police suicide and attempted suicide as a matter of course.”

He added: “Suicide prevention cannot be tackled without proper data, long-term funding and access to specialist mental health support.

“The covenant must be more than a statement of intent. It needs to drive real legislative and financial commitment.”

Read the Police Covenant annual report.