Policing Should Counter Unfair Criticism

Police forces should be more proactive in changing the tide against negative commentary in the media about officers, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.

Chair Steve Kent said hard-working cops could get “really, really upset” about the impact of being criticised in the press for doing their job.

His comments came after concerns were raised about a perceived lack of police communications about the good work done by officers.

The criticism was levelled during a HMICFRS inspection published in September, when one focus group alleged forces “never push back or defend us”.

Steve called for in-house media teams to share the positive side of policing more often, when appropriate.

He said: “When it’s appropriate to release footage, when it’s appropriate to shout from the rooftops and when it’s appropriate to be vocal and supportive of our officers.

“If something leaks in the press which shows, wrongly, police in a negative light, let’s go out there, be brave and say: ‘No, there’s far more to it than meets the eye here’.

“We need more positive language coming from the force sometimes.”

Steve said he believed there was a systemic issue regarding the wider media lacking an appetite for stories celebrating good news.

He said positive policing stories he had shared with outlets in the past had not been entertained because they were not “scandalous”.

He continued: “But what we have seen from recent high profile cases in other parts of the country is that the public actually do react well when they see a more balanced view from the media.

“It’s a conversation we’ve got to have with the media to try and push things out more, because the impact of constant negative press on our officers is massive and it really does bother them.”

Steve called on police forces, journalists and the Government to help change the narrative around policing where appropriate.

However, he said it would require “seismic change” across the country at all walks of life.

He added: “We are the best police service in the world, with what we do, and it needs to be recognised that the vast majority of our cops are heroes.”