THE independent inspectorate of policing has commended police officers, staff and volunteers for their \u201cexceptional dedication and commitment\u201d to keeping people safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Her Majesty\u2019s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services (HMICFRS) says the police service responded with \u201cdedication and commitment\u201d to the challenge of policing the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Inspectors said: \u201cPolicing demonstrated its capacity for responding in an emergency.\u201d They added that officers took \u201cimmediate and decisive\u201d action to respond to the extreme circumstances of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Inspectors found that the fast-paced introduction and subsequent changes to new legislation affected some forces\u2019 ability to produce timely and clear guidance for police officers and staff, which created difficulties for officers on the frontline.<\/p>\n
The inspectorate acknowledged the criticism some forces faced for their interpretation of lockdown restrictions, stating they were \u201cassured that police forces had learnt from these instances\u201d and in general \u201cdid well\u201d to maintain public trust.<\/p>\n
Steve Kent, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: \u201cI welcome the report by the HMICFRS which rightly goes some way to praising the incredible way that our officers have approached the Covid crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt perhaps doesn\u2019t go far enough when you consider the impossible situation that officers have often found themselves in and still sadly will in the coming months.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe question still remains as to why despite doing such an amazing job, our officers were still not protected in terms of the vaccine and still to get the recognition across society and the media that they perhaps deserve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is an unfair appetite among the national press that the rare minor mistakes always make the headlines when the overwhelming hard work gets neglected. Our officers and staff deserve the utmost credit and respect for the job that they do and especially for what they have done during the past 12 months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her Majesty\u2019s Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr, commented: \u201cOverall, the police rose to the challenge with dedication and commitment by taking immediate and decisive action to keep people safe and prevent crime, while also learning lessons from the rare occasions that they got it wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
The HMICFRS report is based on an inspection of policing between March and November 2020. See it in full here: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk\/hmicfrs\/news\/news-feed\/police-generally-responded-well-to-exceptional-circumstances-of-pandemic\/<\/a><\/p>\n