Fed chair urges policing minister to turn words into actions

12 September 2024

Steve Butler welcomed comments made by Dame Diana Johnson at this year’s Superintendents’ Association Conference but called on her to turn those words into actions.

His message to the policing minister comes after Dame Diana addressed the audience at this year’s Superintendents’ Association Conference, in which she ended her speech with, ‘we will always support you’.

“At every opportunity - whether it’s the Bravery Awards, during debates or at conferences like these, both the policing minister and our Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, throws their support behind policing,” says Steve, adding: “But is it any more than words?

Pay rise

“Only recently, police officers were awarded a 4.75 per cent pay rise - at the same time that it was announced that junior doctors will receive 22 per cent. Meanwhile, assaults on officers are rocketing. How is that fair?”

In her speech, made to conference attendees on Tuesday (10 September), Dame Diana said: “I’m appalled that new figures revealed show that assaults on our women and men in uniform are still far too high.

Police Minister Dame Diana Johnson.

“Even preceding the violent disorder of this summer – assaults on police officers are up, with a quarter of those incidents resulting in injury.

“The Home Secretary was right to call this a ‘stain on our society’ and to say that it will not be tolerated.

Sacrifice

“So, we recognise your service and your sacrifice.

“Whether it’s responding to violent disorder, running towards danger, attending emergencies or investigating serious crimes, we know that the heroic daily work of the police exerts a huge strain on officers and their families.

“That’s why we will always support you, as you support your teams to serve our communities.”

Latest figures revealed that there were 45,907 offences of assaults on policing officers in the year ending March 2024. A total of 719 West Mercia officers were assaulted in that same year.

“Our members are real people. They are mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. They don’t deserve to fear assault on the job. They deserve respect,” continued Steve.

“The policing minister speaks of the ‘heroic daily work’ our members do and the strain that puts on their families - but is that being really recognised?

“It’s time to protect the protectors and ensure the pay our officers receive better reflects the job they are being asked to do.”