SOUTH Yorkshire Police officers have been advised against volunteering for mutual aid tours of duty in Northern Ireland this summer for the G8 summit.<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, (pictured) said three public order units from the force will be asked to travel to the province this summer.<\/p>\n
But he told CopperConnection: \u201cAs things stand, our advice to officers is definitely not to volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Around 4,000 police officers from forces in England and Wales are expected to be drafted into Northern Ireland for mutual aid as leaders from eight of the world\u2019s wealthiest countries come together for the G8 Summit in June.<\/p>\n
The summit is often marred by protests.<\/p>\n
Mr Bowles said: \u201cIt is a totally different policing environment which mainland officers just are not trained for. We have different uniforms, we have different personal protection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are all armed. Our officers are not. We have assurances that when our officers are deployed, they will be under armed escort. How good is that? Is our insurance valid?<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice pensions may be because we are following orders, but what about our own private life insurance. Will it be covered over there?<\/p>\n
\u201cOur advice is until we get all these concerns sorted to our satisfaction \u2013 and training sorted \u2013 our advice is definitely not to volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Bowles added: \u201cWe have had discussions over the last three or four years about mutual aid to Northern Ireland. Mainly due to the fact they have cut their numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have raised our concerns about this summer\u2019s G8 with the force \u2013 annual leave has been cancelled and curtailed for the week beginning 17 June \u2013 and the conference will be during that week, sometime in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a waiting game at the moment but it is only four months away. If officers have concerns, give the office a ring and we will have a chat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve Williams, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: \u201cWe want to ensure we support our PSNI colleagues but there are a number of issues we need to raise \u2013 including the safety of our officers while posted in Northern Ireland, their anonymity and welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Williams said he understood the plan for the operation was to \u201crely solely upon volunteers\u201d.<\/p>\n
However he added: \u201cThe bottom line is that trained officers can be lawfully ordered to be deployed to PSNI.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Police Federation of England and Wales said it will be raising \u201cserious\u201d concerns officially with government representatives.<\/p>\n
ACPO lead for Public Order and Public Safety and ACPO lead for Great Britain for G8 mutual aid deployment Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said: \u201cI want to reassure officers who have the required skill sets for deployment to Northern Ireland for the G8 summit that every effort is being taken to maximise their security and safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are still in early preparations and are actively engaging with members of the four home federations in this process.\u201d<\/p>\n
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