Police forces should be more proactive in changing the tide against negative commentary in the media about officers, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Chair Steve Kent said hard-working cops could get \u201creally, really upset\u201d about the impact of being criticised in the press for doing their job.<\/p>\n
His comments came after concerns were raised about a perceived lack of police communications about the good work done by officers.<\/p>\n
The criticism was levelled during a HMICFRS inspection published in September, when one focus group alleged forces \u201cnever push back or defend us\u201d.<\/p>\n
Steve called for in-house media teams to share the positive side of policing more often, when appropriate.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWhen it\u2019s appropriate to release footage, when it\u2019s appropriate to shout from the rooftops and when it\u2019s appropriate to be vocal and supportive of our officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf something leaks in the press which shows, wrongly, police in a negative light, let\u2019s go out there, be brave and say: \u2018No, there\u2019s far more to it than meets the eye here\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need more positive language coming from the force sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve said he believed there was a systemic issue regarding the wider media lacking an appetite for stories celebrating good news.<\/p>\n
He said positive policing stories he had shared with outlets in the past had not been entertained because they were not \u201cscandalous\u201d.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cBut what we have seen from recent high profile cases in other parts of the country is that the public actually do react well when they see a more balanced view from the media.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a conversation we\u2019ve got to have with the media to try and push things out more, because the impact of constant negative press on our officers is massive and it really does bother them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve called on police forces, journalists and the Government to help change the narrative around policing where appropriate.<\/p>\n
However, he said it would require \u201cseismic change\u201d across the country at all walks of life.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe are the best police service in the world, with what we do, and it needs to be recognised that the vast majority of our cops are heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n