Police and politicians “need to rebuild trust”

POLICE officers and politicians must “draw a line” to ensure acrimonious scenes are not repeated, Parliament has been told.

Will Riches, chairman of the Constable’s Central Committee of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said it was “totally unacceptable” that “trust in the police service as a whole has been called into question” over recent months. Mr Riches is pictured right with Keith Vaz MP at the meeting.

Jim Lucas, secretary of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “There is a perception that it has been ‘them and us’ between police officers and MPs. So it is good to see a dialogue developing between the two sides.”

Mr Riches told some 150 MPs, peers, and Police Federation representatives from across the UK at the event, that questioning all officers’ integrity was “a shocking disservice to every decent, hardworking Police Officer.”

He said: “Today we draw a line together. We begin what I recognise will be a long process, rebuilding the trust between the Police Federation and Parliament.

“That starts here today – with open and honest dialogue between those who deliver policing, and those who decide the framework within which to deliver our service.”

He added: “We don’t go in for point scoring or name calling, antics, gimmicks or games. Like every Police Officer in England and Wales, we get the job done.

“What we need now is a productive dialogue focused on how we manage to do more with less. We need you to recognise that the quality of the service we provide to the public relies on the commitment and morale of the women and men I am so proud to represent.”

Keith Vaz MP, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, hosted the event. He thanked all police officers “for the incredible work you do.”

He added: “I know you are facing enormous challenges and it is very difficult out there but I do think it is important to recognise that you cannot reshape the police service unless you ask and talk to the constables – you are the police service.”

The meeting was also attended by Policing Minister Damian Green, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales Steve Williams and the Association of Chief Police Officers President Sir Hugh Orde.

In September, Mr Lucas led a delegation of federation representatives to meet the area’s local MPs in Westminster. Speaking this month, he added: “We will be looking to repeat that visit in the New Yearn and to present to them some more evidence about the impact of cuts on policing.”