Proactive approach to wellbeing is way forward for post-pandemic policing

14 September 2021

The chair of Suffolk Police Federation has emphasised the need for wellbeing care to become more preventative in its approach.

Many forces do not record the number and types of incidents officers are attending, which means they do not know if officers have seen a string of traumatic incidents and cannot offer help unless asked.

Suffolk branch chair Darren Harris said: “Policing is under pressure like never before. The impact of Covid-19, along with ongoing struggles with manpower and resources, has led to an environment that causes often unbearable pressure for officers.

“We must be aware of that pressure and its effects on individuals, and proactively seek out those who may not be coping as well as they think.

“It’s not about singling people out, but rather getting alongside your colleagues, offering them a kind word and some practical help, and showing them somebody has seen what they’re going through.

"Waiting until people ask for help themselves is often too late.”

A recent Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) scheme pre-emptively checking in on Fed reps along these lines has proved successful.

The scheme, which is still in its pilot stage, aims to help representatives balance their full-time policing role with their Federation responsibilities.

It does this by proactively encouraging reps to identify potential stressors and offering helpful, practical advice on coping with the demands of the role.

National Federation wellbeing chair Hayley Aley suggested to attendees at the Emergency Services Show in Birmingham last week that police forces begin to record similar data and use it to offer practical support to those who may be struggling.

“If the organisation could work with that information, take the time to speak to the officer, check in and give them that support we would be pre-emptively tackling the problem,” she said.