Justice System Must Support Police Officers

21 August 2024

Stronger prison sentences are needed for those convicted of assaulting police officers, Surrey Police Federation has said

Chair Darren Pemble has called for the justice system to back police officers when they are attacked.

Recent weeks have shown again how police have stepped up to protect the public in the face of what Darren described as “vile and outrageous behaviour”, which resulted in a number of officers being assaulted and injured.

In Surrey, 865 police officers were assaulted on duty last year. In England and Wales, there were an astonishing 45,907 assaults on officers.

That’s 5,500 more than the previous year and a staggering 20,000 more assaults than in 2017.

Darren said: “Why is that police officers are being subjected to these assaults? It cannot be right that police officers are targeted in this way. It is appalling that society tolerates this.

“Police officers need the justice system to deal with this issue and we would support stronger prison sentences to curb this behaviour.

“Something needs to be done. Police officers are brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. We all have family that expect us to walk through the front door after a shift.

“If these assaulst on police officers continue, then officers will leave the service and there will be fewer of us to run towards the danger and arrest those people doing wrong.

“Police officers need to be respected for the difficult role they perform. We are not punchbags and deserve better.

“We understand the need for accountability and for those who do wrong there is no place in the service, but we do need to support those trying to do the right thing for the right reason who are protecting the public.”

Darren said it was time for a fundamental review of policing – covering everything from pay and police funding, to precisely what police officers should and should not be expected to do.

He added: “Pay is critical to this, this year’s 4.75% pay award does not reflect the role or recognise the sacrifices our members make every day. Our members have voiced their need for industrial rights in the shape of collective bargaining over pay, so we will explore this in the near future.

“Policing is unique and it is time for a fundamental review of policing asking the public what they want.

“Funding for policing is not fit for purpose so the Government needs to look at this. We cannot continue to reduce budgets when we have increasing demands on policing. What is the answer?

“Can you do the job of a police officer? If you can, come join us as we need help to make policing great again.”