WHEN terrorists attack, there are no “extra police officers” to call on.\u00a0That was the message from Ch Supt Gavin Thomas, President of the Superintendents’ Association in a speech at the organisation’s Annual Conference.<\/p>\n
He said: “We must not forget that the \u2018extra officers\u2019 brought in to boost the policing presence after the terrorist attacks earlier this year were not in fact extra officers.<\/p>\n
“There is no pool of extra officers to call on when demand surges.<\/p>\n
“They were the same officers who police all the time, sacrificing rest days and holidays to keep the public safe.<\/p>\n
“Putting the safety and the welfare of others above their own.”<\/p>\n
He added: “We in this room have a responsibility as leaders, to look after our staff as well as looking after ourselves.<\/p>\n
“Just as those who lead us have that same responsibility. I will say it again: we must look after our people.<\/p>\n
“Because without them, there is no police service.”<\/p>\n
In 2010, there were 143,734 police officers in England and Wales.<\/p>\n
There are now 123,142. That’s 20,592 fewer.<\/p>\n
Full speech here
\nhttp:\/\/www.policesupers.com\/2017\/09\/04\/presidents-speech-to-psaew-conference-2017\/<\/a><\/p>\n