THE Government\u2019s proposed Police Covenant is \u201ca good start\u201d, but more needs to be done to protect police officers, according to South Yorkshire Police Federation.<\/p>\n
Home Secretary Priti Patel launched a consultation into the Police Covenant in February month to protect the rights of serving and former police officers in law.<\/p>\n
The consultation, which will run for eight weeks, covers the themes of physical protection, health and wellbeing, support for families, as well as the scope and wording of the covenant. Views are also being sought on how officers should be publicly recognised for their bravery and work.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent said: \u201cI would want a ringfenced plan and clear guidelines on how we\u2019re going to look at policing, and welfare within policing. It should be something the Government and future Governments are bound by \u2013 a minimum improvement in the standard of how we look after police officers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve said the covenant was badly needed because there was no consistency in policing and that forces were only just starting to recover from 10 years of \u201cdecimation\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThere are inconsistencies up north, in terms of funding for police forces, but also in the way that we deal with mental health. One of the aspects of it should be that mental health support is paid for centrally by the Government, so it gives forces the resources to deal with it, because it\u2019s obviously at crisis point.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he was concerned the Government consultation might be just warm words, but that the Federation welcomed it at this stage.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe proof will be in the pudding. \u201cIt\u2019s a good start, but it\u2019s not enough, ultimately. We need to see what comes out of it. For me this is the steam train just starting to move; it\u2019s going to be a long time before we get to be where we want to be. The past 10 years have taught us to be very sceptical.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve has encouraged all South Yorkshire Police officers to contribute to the consultation.<\/p>\n