Policing the pandemic: share your views in Federation survey

5 October 2020

West Midlands Police Federation chair Jon Nott is encouraging members to use a new survey as a chance to express their views on policing the pandemic.

Jon says this year’s nationwide Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey is an opportunity for members to have their say on a range of issues, including policing the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

“This is the first survey we’ve run since the onset of the pandemic,” said Jon, “And it’s important that we build a picture of just it has impacted officers. The survey also looks at a range of other issues around officers’ workload and welfare and gives members the opportunity to help shape our policy.

“We know everyone is extremely busy but, if members can take a moment to complete the survey, it will help us have a stronger voice on the issues that affect you when we’re talking to decision-makers.

“It really will make a difference, so please make your voice heard.”

This year’s is the third Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey conducted by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

It’s designed to provide a fuller picture of the main challenges currently facing policing and includes bespoke questions around officers’ experiences of working during the pandemic, and the plan to recruit 20,000 more officers by 2023.

Other topics covered include resilience within the police service, the day-to-day demands facing officers and the stress and impact on their mental health and welfare.

The results will allow the Federation to make meaningful comparison with the data gathered in 2018 and 2016 and to identify trends.

The last Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey revealed that in the West Midlands the average job satisfaction rating was 4/10, 62 per cent of respondents reported frequent single crewing and 48 per cent reported never or rarely taking their full rest break entitlement.

Of the respondents, 73 per cent said their workload was too high, 84 per cent said there weren’t enough officers to do the job and 79 per cent indicated they had experienced difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the previous 12 months.

PFEW vice-chair and mental health lead Ché Donald said: “We greatly appreciate members taking the time to support the service by filling in this survey, and the information provided will be used to inform our policy development and help us to support and represent colleagues.

“It is critical their voices are heard to keep people at the highest levels of policing informed of the reality of policing to build awareness, influence and most importantly initiate action and positive change for the greater good of our members.”

Contact the Federation office by email if you have not received a link to the survey.

Find out more about the survey below