SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation to hoping there will be some \u2018commitment\u2019 behind a new Government police covenant.<\/p>\n
Former Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced the agreement at the recent Police Bravery Awards when he also backed PFEW plans to allow special constables into the Federation.<\/p>\n
Details of what will be included in the covenant are yet to be rubber stamped, but the Home Office has promised it will recognise the sacrifices officers make every day and enshrine Government support to the service.<\/p>\n
Steve Kent, South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman welcomed the plans but said they must be backed up with actions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt cannot be anything other than good news,\u201d he said, \u201calthough I\u2019d like to see what the covenant looks like. I\u2019d like to see the commitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try to look at officer\u2019s welfare across the board, and I await the fine wording and see what it says, but it\u2019s a good thing to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve also voiced his backing for the plan to welcome Special Constables into the PFEW.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of Specials, it\u2019s obviously a good thing for them to be protected because they\u2019re going out there and they\u2019re putting themselves in harm\u2019s way just as much as officers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpecials\u2019 use of force, for example. It\u2019s right that they have the protection of the Federation. I would also expect, alongside this, that maybe some of the resources are coming in to professionalise the specials. I know it\u2019s down to each individual force to manage that.\u201d<\/p>\n