Welfare support line opens to help vulnerable officers

A NATIONAL support line for officers who are vulnerable has been set up through a joint partnership between the Police Federation and Police Firearms Officers Association.

The Welfare Support Programme will be able to access the right kind of help for officers who are considered vulnerable for any reason, which could include involvement in death or serious injury incidents, suspension from duty or potentially for medical or personal reasons.

The service can also help the families of officers and those dependent on them.

Richie Jones, one of the Federation’s leads on the WSP scheme, said: “There has been recognition that there are gaps in areas of support that some forces are able to offer police officers and their families in their times of need. This programme is a means to filling the gaps and most importantly to offer a 24-hour service for those officers on the programme to access suitably trained staff 365 days a year.”

He added that the Federation is proud to be launching this programme in order to support the “sterling work” already being done by local federations across England and Wales. Each of the local branch boards will have a single point of contact, who will be responsible for referring officers in need to the scheme.

The programme is a two-year pilot, funded jointly by the Federation and the PFOA, and is available to officers who are subscribing members of the Police Federation.

Mark Williams, chief executive officer of the Police Firearms Officers Association, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Federation on this ground-breaking project, which would not have been possible without Federation funding. Policing can be stressful and distressing at times. The Welfare Support Programme is there to provide support and assistance.”

The programme will provide a 24/7 support line staffed by trained professionals, and a full-time welfare support officer who will work alongside federation representatives to support officers and their immediate families.

The programme will develop over an initial two-year pilot period to include enhanced support, with the provision of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), coaching and counselling.

It is available to subscribing members of the Federation who have been involved in a death or serious injury incident at work that results in post-incident investigation and to officers who are suspended from duty.

To access the programme, the National Federation said contact must initially be made with a local branch board, or contact [email protected].