Police Covenant Should Be Minimum Standard For Policing
THE Government’s proposed Police Covenant is “a good start”, but more needs to be done to protect police officers, according to South Yorkshire Police Federation.
Home Secretary Priti Patel launched a consultation into the Police Covenant in February month to protect the rights of serving and former police officers in law.
The consultation, which will run for eight weeks, covers the themes of physical protection, health and wellbeing, support for families, as well as the scope and wording of the covenant. Views are also being sought on how officers should be publicly recognised for their bravery and work.
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent said: “I would want a ringfenced plan and clear guidelines on how we’re going to look at policing, and welfare within policing. It should be something the Government and future Governments are bound by – a minimum improvement in the standard of how we look after police officers.”
Steve said the covenant was badly needed because there was no consistency in policing and that forces were only just starting to recover from 10 years of “decimation”.
He said: “There are inconsistencies up north, in terms of funding for police forces, but also in the way that we deal with mental health. One of the aspects of it should be that mental health support is paid for centrally by the Government, so it gives forces the resources to deal with it, because it’s obviously at crisis point.”
He said he was concerned the Government consultation might be just warm words, but that the Federation welcomed it at this stage.
He said: “The proof will be in the pudding. “It’s a good start, but it’s not enough, ultimately. We need to see what comes out of it. For me this is the steam train just starting to move; it’s going to be a long time before we get to be where we want to be. The past 10 years have taught us to be very sceptical.”
Steve has encouraged all South Yorkshire Police officers to contribute to the consultation.