SOUTH Yorkshire Police officers have been praised for their dedication and commitment during what has been a challenging year for the force.<\/p>\n
In a Christmas and New Year message to members, Zuleika Payne, Chair of the Federation, said: \u201cWe want people to stay safe during the festive period, but we also want to ensure the safety of our officers in their endeavours to keep members of the public safe\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cOver the Bank Holiday period the call rates increase and the nature of the incidents that officers are called to present their own challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people join the organisation they have a sense of duty and they understand that there will be that requirement to work on the public holidays, but it\u2019s about work\/life balance and making sure that the rotas and the shifts are distributed evenly.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome officers may have a preference to come to work if they don\u2019t have family, and it\u2019s for their team leader to make sure that those officers who do have family can spend some quality time with their family and loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
And in a message to members she added: \u201cThank you for all your hard work and commitment during 2016. The force has had many challenges during this past year but the officers have shown utter dedication and commitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that our colleagues manage to spend some quality time with their families and friends during the festive season, we want them to stay safe in their endeavours to keep the public safe. Our warmest wishes for a prosperous 2017.\u201d<\/p>\n