Positive words from the Home Secretary – but policing needs much more than words
25 May 2018
The new Home Secretary could represent a “breath of fresh air” that will reinvigorate frosty relations between the Government and the police, Surrey Police Federation has said.
However positive action and more funding for policing – and not just warm words – are needed.
Representative Patrick McCann was speaking following the Police Federation of England and Wales’ Annual Conference in Birmingham this week. He saw Sajid Javid give his inaugural address to the meeting just three weeks into the post and said the positive tone set made a welcome change.
Patrick said: “He came across as quite sincere and understanding of the pressures we are facing. I think what makes a difference to him compared to other predecessors is the fact that he’s got other policing family background [his brother is a serving officer in West Midlands Police] and I think that will go a long way with the members, and understanding and maybe rebuilding some of the damage that’s been done over the last eight years in policing.
“A breath of fresh air on the front of things.”
Mr Javid gave a very personal account of the assaults and injuries his brother has encountered over his career. Mr Javid said: "For those of you who stand in the front line, be in no doubt that I will be standing with you.”
Mel Warnes, Federation Chair, added: “The Home Secretary said all the right things and it is really refreshing to have somebody in post that does know about policing.”
And Mr Javid surprised the Conference when he said he did not believe all officers had to have degrees to do their jobs.
Patrick added: “I have to question, if the police are the people and the people are the police, when are the rest of the nation going to get a degree? Not everyone needs a degree in policing, certainly it’ll be a blocker for people coming in and make us less representative of the country.”
The Home Secretary also told delegates that he backed a boost in the use of stop and search to help tackle the spike in violence on Britain's streets.
Patrick said: “This is a big challenge. As a neighbourhood sergeant, I know the challenge of trying to build a relationship in a community, with so stretched resources and incredibly small teams, it’s going to be a huge uphill struggle to do that. No matter what our intentions are and with the best interests of it, it’s going to be a struggle.”
