Response Policing Week of Action puts emphasis on wellbeing

17 March 2021

This week the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) response policing lead is aiming to recognise and celebrate the work of response police officers.

The week of action, the first of its kind to be led by the NPCC, will put a special emphasis on police wellbeing and ensure officers are aware of the resources available to them.

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris is backing the initiative and says he hopes it prompts more conversations around the need for forces to offer a range of support for officers and staff.

“It is good to see the NPCC instigating this week of action for the first time,” says Darren, “It’s a welcome sign that chief officers are taking officer wellbeing seriously.

“Response police officers have a critical role to play within their forces, often being the first on the scene when there is a traumatic incident. They will, of course, respond professionally, supporting the public and handling the situation but behind their uniform they are just human and many of the incidents they deal with will have a lasting impact on their mental wellbeing.

“It is vital that the police service offers support to officers and also that it makes officers aware of where they can turn for help.”

Darren added: “The Police Federation can help officers access support and we would urge anyone struggling with their mental wellbeing to get in touch with either the office staff or their workplace representatives.”

The NPCC has worked with Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), the College of Policing and the Police Federation to deliver a range of wellbeing and resilience initiatives, co-ordinated specifically for response officers’ needs, during this week.

Wellbeing vans will be deployed across the UK and wellbeing dogs will be available to some forces, along with a series of Oscar Kilo webinars around sleep, fatigue and resilience and toolkits for self-care and compassion.

A number of engagement opportunities for frontline officers will take place, including a #WECOPS response policing conversation with NPCC wellbeing lead Chief Constable Andy Rhodes and response policing lead Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.

DCC Kennedy said: “The aim of the week of action is for response officers to be heard and valued, to see their workplace successes celebrated, to know that their wellbeing is important and to understand how and where to seek support when it is needed.

“These officers routinely face and deal with some of the most challenging and difficult situations in society. They are frequently the first on the scene whenever an incident occurs, and they are often the first and only contact that many ever have with the police service. It is only right that they feel supported in the work they do.

“I encourage all senior leaders in policing to get involved with this initiative and to ensure that every opportunity is taken to recognise and celebrate the incredible work these officers do every day."

Chief Constable Rhodes added: “It is important to know that this is not just a one-off event; we want to use this week as an opportunity to let officers know that support is available to them and to their forces, all year round. The wellbeing of officers and staff is a priority for all police chiefs. We are always listening and support will always be there for those who need it.”