Response policing: NPCC puts focus on wellbeing

16 March 2021

Response policing officers play a critical role in their communities and deserve recognition for their work.

That is the view of Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, who was commenting after the National Police Chiefs’ Council yesterday launched a week of action focussing on response officers.

The NPCC is aiming to put a special emphasis on officer wellbeing and wants to help raise awareness of the support that is available.

“Everyone involved in policing plays their part in providing effective policing services for our communities and all officers should be aware of the support services that are available to them through the Police Federation, the Force, mental health charities and bodies such as Oscar Kilo, which is the National Police Wellbeing Service.

“But this week of action puts the spotlight on the pressures faced by response policing officers who, through repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, can find their mental health suffers.

“We want them – and other officers - to recognise that support is available and we would urge them to speak up if they feel they need support. The Federation is here to help.”

The NPCC has worked with Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), the College of Policing and the Police Federation to deliver a range of wellbeing and resilience initiatives, co-ordinated specifically for response officers’ needs, during this week.

Wellbeing vans will be deployed across the UK and wellbeing dogs will be available to some forces, along with a series of Oscar Kilo webinars around sleep, fatigue and resilience and toolkits for self-care and compassion.

A number of engagement opportunities for frontline officers will take place, including a #WECOPS response policing conversation with NPCC wellbeing lead Chief Constable Andy Rhodes and response policing lead Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.

DCC Kennedy said: “The aim of the week of action is for response officers to be heard and valued, to see their workplace successes celebrated, to know that their wellbeing is important and to understand how and where to seek support when it is needed.

“These officers routinely face and deal with some of the most challenging and difficult situations in society. They are frequently the first on the scene whenever an incident occurs, and they are often the first and only contact that many ever have with the police service. It is only right that they feel supported in the work they do.

“I encourage all senior leaders in policing to get involved with this initiative and to ensure that every opportunity is taken to recognise and celebrate the incredible work these officers do every day”.

Chief Constable Rhodes added: “It is important to know that this is not just a one-off event; we want to use this week as an opportunity to let officers know that support is available to them and to their forces, all year round. The wellbeing of officers and staff is a priority for all police chiefs. We are always listening and support will always be there for those who need it.”