Police minister’s praise for officers

22 April 2020

Officers have been praised by the police minister for their ‘sterling work’ during the COVID-19 crisis.

Kit Malthouse, minister for crime and policing, has sent a letter to national Federation chair John Apter to recognise officers efforts in dealing with the unique challenges of the coronavirus  pandemic and a Government lockdown.

He praised the ‘courage and commitment’ of members and their ability to adapt to an ever-changing role in testing times.

Mr Malthouse wrote: “The arrival of the coronavirus in this country has created significant challenges for everyone, but particularly for our police officers of all ranks. As we face this second period of national lockdown, I want to congratulate and thank you and your members for their sterling work so far. 

“The introduction of social distancing regulations presents a unique situation for UK policing, and while the courage and commitment of officers is all too often tested, their ability to adapt to the new role of maintaining compliance has been remarkable. 

“Their professionalism, good sense, and often humour, means that the precious tradition of policing by consent has been maintained.”

The police minister also said the Government was committed to giving officers all the support and resources they needed to keep communities safe while protecting the NHS.

He concluded: “Thank you to you and all officers for their work so far. We salute their dedication and sacrifice, and that of their families. As our national battle to defeat coronavirus continues, it is a source of enormous pride and comfort to see that, as so often in past crises, it is police officers who step forward without hesitation into the front-line.”