Welsh lead discusses policing issues with politicians

16 August 2021

Police Federation Welsh lead Nicky Ryan has been holding talks with politicians to discuss the major issues facing policing.

In the latest in a series of meetings, Nicky met North Wales MS Mark Isherwood and thanked him for supporting officers by raising the issue of police being given some priority in the Covid vaccine roll-out.

Nicky  pressed Mr Isherwood on the importance of the forthcoming Police Covenant and its adoption by the Welsh Government.

She said: “My meeting with Mark Isherwood was very productive. He was very sympathetic to our position on pay, vaccines and the Police Covenant and has offered to support us in any way that he can with the issues that were raised.”

Her talks with Mr Isherwood came after a similar meeting with Pontypridd MS Mick Antoniw, who is Counsel General and minister for constitution.

Nicky discussed the Welsh Government’s move towards advancing the recommendations of the Thomas Commission on Justice In Wales, published in October 2019 and gave Mr Antoniw an assurance that the Federation would serve as a neutral, critical friend with the ability to say it “as it is”.

She reiterated that the Police Federation remains resolutely neutral on whether policing is a devolved function.

Nicky has also met with the leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies.

Nicky is in the process of arranging further talks with other prominent Senedd Members to ensure the Police Covenant is also adopted by the Welsh Government once it passes into law in Westminster.

She believes the Senedd has an opportunity to give special recognition to the extraordinary contribution police officers make to the communities they serve by granting them priority access to NHS services in Wales.

Nicky said: “Police officers have a unique role in society. They put their lives on the line to protect their communities every day and can pay the ultimate price for such dedication.

“Our members are always at risk of being injured in the line of duty with assaults on emergency services personnel soaring up by 26 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Frontline officers who are injured can then end up being off work for months on end while they wait for treatment or physiotherapy appointments.

“Priority access to NHS services would ensure they got back to work earlier and would also fit in with the basic ethos of the new Police Covenant.”

Nicky is seeking meetings with all members of the Senedd and MPs over the coming months.