Welfare is key if more officers carry guns

THE welfare of armed police should always be a priority if forces are to consider increasing the amount of officers who carry guns.

Zuleika Payne, Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said looking after members who are investigated after discharging a firearm is “of equal concern” if forces increase the number of armed officers.

She was responding to calls nationally for an increase in the number of armed officers – or even routing arming of all officers – following terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.

Zuleika said: “When it comes to issues around firearms, having the equipment and the training is one issue, but also how we support the officers upon deployment as well.

“We hear horror stories up and down the country – following a deployment- about the investigation that ensues and the stress caused to officers. Especially as these are protracted inquiries, meaning lengthy investigations over a significant period of time.

“While there’s certainly an appetite to look at firearms capability and routine arming, what is of equal concern for me, as a Chair, looking after my members, is how we support the officers post-incident.

“If we are going to attract people into that role then we need to be clear about the stance. If an incident takes place which results in a fatal shooting, then the IPCC will be contacted and in attendance immediately. These processes and investigations are by no means quick for police officers.

“You can be under investigation for a considerable length of time, and I would actually say a disproportionate length of time.”

“Certainly when you consider the length of time some officers are under investigation, sometimes in excess of six, seven, eight years plus. You can understand why it adds to the stress of doing an already stressful job. Observing colleague getting a raw deal does not attract people into a specialist role when they see investigations and outcomes like the ones that we’ve seen nationally.”