Chair Mel Warnes challenges Surrey MPs at Parliament

18 January 2018

“It’s only right that the constituents of Surrey know, through their MPs, what their Police Officers are having to face on a day to day basis.”

Following the police pay award announcement last year, Surrey Police Federation Chair, Mel Warnes, invited all Surrey MPs to meet and discuss this and what it meant for Surrey Police officers. She even travelled to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester with a view to meeting them.

Despite this taking some time to materialise, Mel met with Surrey MPs Crispin Blunt, Chris Grayling, Anne Milton and Philip Hammond on Wednesday (17 January). A representative of Jonathon Lords was also in attendance.

Mel said: “Initially we spoke about the pay award… I also felt it was important that we talked about some risk areas around demand and the resulting risks that police officers in Surrey are facing. 

“One problem we face in particular in the South East is waiting times for ambulances, where these are particularly high. This leaves Police Officers with a decision to make in regards to taking patients to hospital themselves, inevitably opening them up to risk.

“Our emergency services in Surrey are so stretched, those that need medical attention are just not being attended to in time. We’ve had officers taking injured patients in the back of a Police car to hospital and mental health patients to be assessed. 

“This is such a high risk for officers. They’re having to make these decisions, and then documenting their decisions as to why they’re taking injured people in the back of a police car to hospital. It’s opening them up to all sorts of risks, especially around investigations. 

“Ultimately, as Police Officers, we’re here to protect life, and that’s why we make these decisions. However, it’s a big issue, and something needs to change.”

Mel has also gone public recently about her concerns over the police watchdog and how it treats Surrey Police officers.

She added: “I also took the chance to speak to the MPs about the Independent Office for Police conduct and the lengthy investigations that they undertake, not just for Surrey Police officers but around the country.

“I wanted to highlight to the MPs for their constituents, that these investigations have an impact on the tax payer, and as a result they aren’t getting the service they require as so many officer are restricted for such a long time. 

“I discussed with the MPs around how the IOPC are not answerable to anybody, they investigate their own complaints, and we wonder, with the same people working there, the same investigators, the same processes, are the investigations going to change at all? 

“They need to be more fair, they need to be more balanced, and we’re not sure that’s going to change. We hope that, with the changes in their hierarchy, the investigation may not be quite so lengthy, but I won’t hold my breath at this time."

Mel was joined by PC Dan Pascoe in the meeting, a Roads Policing Officer, who was able to support some of her cases in regards to the Emergency Services Drivers Bill. 

“My final discussion point was in regard to the Emergency Services Drivers Bill. Joining me in the meeting was Dan Pascoe, who was able to give real life examples of what it’s like to be a police trained driver who is highly trained in his work. 

“The MPs showed interest in supporting this, and it seems we’ve ensured continued support from our MPs around this. Crispin Blunt was particularly interested in this, showing concerns as to whether there was anything else required to move the bill forward. I think it’s right, It’s now just about getting those emergency services drivers getting the protection that they need."

Mel and Dan were also joined by Vinny Wagjiani, from Surrey Police Federation, who spoke about the work he’s been doing around the ‘Protect the Protectors’ Bill.

Mel added: “It’s only right that the constituents of Surrey know, through their MPs, what police officers are having to face on a day to day basis. I feel the MPs have taken on board my concerns and moving forward I really do think we’re heading in the right direction. I certainly take a positive outlook from the meeting. 

“I’ll be meeting again with Mr Grayling in 6 months’ time, and hopefully along with a few more of the Surrey MPs.”