Police Covenant moves a step closer

16 July 2021

West Midlands Police Federation has welcomed Home Secretary Priti Patel’s pledge to make the new Police Covenant a “top priority” after its implementation moved a step closer to becoming reality.

Ms Patel, who told officers she “had their backs” when she addressed the Police Federation annual conference last month, was speaking after holding talks with Federation national chair John Apter and other key policing figures at the first meeting of the Police Covenant Board.

She said: “I have been resolute in my determination to ensure that the police have the support they need in order to carry out their duties to protect the public. This is an absolute priority for me.

“The new Police Covenant will recognise the dangers and the harms they face each day as they undertake their duties.”

The board agreed to examine a wide range of proposals to provide officers and staff with long-term support and protection to carry out their duties, with the focus on health and wellbeing, physical safety, and support for families.

Reacting to her comments, West Midlands Police Federation chair Jon Nott said: “We welcome the Home Secretary’s pledge to prioritise the new Police Covenant. The proposals have a clear focus on the health and wellbeing of officers and their families and this is something the Police Federation has long campaigned for.

“Our members can be asked to work in extremely challenging, often dangerous circumstances and they deserve to be properly recognised and supported for their efforts and sacrifices.”

The national chair described the first meeting of the Police Covenant board as an “important step forward”.

He said: “The Police Covenant is something I believe passionately about, and I am incredibly proud this is finally turning into reality.

“We have worked long and hard on the creation of a covenant to ensure it benefits all police officers, staff, volunteers, their families, and our retired colleagues.

“The first meeting of the Covenant Board is an important step forward and I look forward to playing my part in ensuring the Covenant is meaningful and tangible for all our members and their families.”

The board discussed plans for occupational health standards are embedded across all police forces, the establishment of a new chief medical officer for policing in England and Wales and improved training for GPs relating to specific police roles.

Plans to develop pre-deployment mental health support for the entire police workforce and consider what a good support model for families should look like were also discussed at the meeting.

The Covenant Board will meet every quarter to discuss the Police Covenant, deliver agreed outcomes and monitor progress.

Those attending the meeting alongside the Police Federation and the Home Office included representatives from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the College of Policing, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the Police Superintendents’ Association, Unison, the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association and the Welsh Government.

A consultation process on the new covenant was launched last year. It is aimed at serving and former police officers, their families and any groups with an interest in supporting the police in England and Wales.

Plans for the covenant are set out in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which is set to be discussed in the Lords in the autumn having already progressed through the House of Commons.