New protections for police officers will help them stop off-road bikers \u201ctaking the mickey\u201d out of society, South Yorkshire Police Federation says.<\/p>\n
Federation Chair Steve Kent said officers must now be given complete protection when carrying out their duties on the roads.<\/p>\n
He warned \u201can absolute attitude change\u201d must happen to stop police being prosecuted for doing their job.<\/p>\n
Steve said: \u201cIt is absolutely farcical that our police officers are judged to the same standards as members of the public when we are doing our jobs.<\/p>\n
The Chair said the public were \u201cdesperate\u201d for officers to tackle nuisance off-road bikers, but previously the law had protected the criminals rather than police.<\/p>\n
Steve continued: \u201cIf you ask 99% of the public, they will tell you these people who take criminal actions should not be protected over and above the risks faced by officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOff-road bikers that we pretty much can\u2019t pursue in this force or anywhere else, are literally taking the mickey out of the police and society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are acting with complete impunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve welcomed the new protection afforded to officers, saying it would empower them to have greater confidence in carrying out their duties.<\/p>\n
He said recent high-profile cases suggested the IOPC was \u201cgoing after\u201d policing in an unjustified manner.<\/p>\n
Steve added: \u201cThere needs to be an absolute attitude change and our officers need to be protected 100% for doing – what they think is their duty, to the best of their ability.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously there\u2019ll always be scrutiny if an officer exceeds their powers or is reckless with their powers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if they\u2019re doing it with the honestly held belief to do the best they can, they should be protected.\u201d<\/p>\n