THE Home Secretary\u2019s speech at the PFEW Annual Conference was \u201cwarm and supportive\u201d but needs to be followed up with real action, the Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Priti Patel was speaking at the first PFEW Conference in three years, which was held virtually.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said: \u201cThis was probably one of the warmer and more supportive Home Secretary speeches in recent times.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, at this stage these are just words and they need to be followed up with further action and investment from Government \u2013 officers need to feel supported on the frontline.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also didn\u2019t answer or apologise for the two biggest issues that have come out of the past 12 months for our officers, which are the refusal to vaccinate officers in line with the risk and challenges they face, and also the pay freeze, which has left officers feeling betrayed when they have been at the frontline throughout the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding vaccines, Ms Patel said that the Home Office had to follow the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). She said: “We absolutely had to prioritise the vaccine rollout in line with the overriding risk factors of age and clinical vulnerability.”<\/p>\n
However Steve welcomed the Home Secretary\u2019s comments about new protections for police officers in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe Home Secretary also talked about the new legislation coming in which will welcome Special Constables and protect police drivers from the existing ludicrous system that exposes officers to the threat of prosecution for simply doing their job.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is vital that when this legislation comes out it does what it says on the tin and actually gives that protection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve also praised PFEW Chair John Apter\u2019s \u201cvery passionate\u201d speech.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cJohn Apter quite rightly points out the issues with the incoming legislation in terms of not protecting our drivers. It’s clear that it needs to be rectified and enhanced.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also echo John\u2019s comments about pay and the vaccinations, for which our officers quite rightly feel let down.\u201d<\/p>\n