Police Covenant Must Be More Than Warm Words

THE new Police Covenant should be something that will support officers and their families and not just warm words, according to Hampshire Police Federation.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has been campaigning for a Covenant that will place the welfare of officers, police staff and their families under regular Parliamentary scrutiny. It applies to serving and former police personnel and will focus on protection, health and wellbeing, and support for families.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that the public consultation process had found that more than 90% of respondents backed the Covenant.

When she launched the Covenant at the Police Superintendents’ Association Conference, she said: “I stand with you, against any vile thug who threatens the thin blue line. If they come for our police, I will not hesitate to come for them. And I will do everything in my power to ensure justice is served.”

Zoë Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, said: “It sounds good. I hope it’s not just warm words. I think we need to wait and see what the actual detail says, but hopefully it will be something that will support officers and their families and will be something worthwhile.

“Priti Patel seems absolutely 100% supportive of us. She seems to understand the pressures we’re facing. She’s saying and doing all the right things. She’s getting the increase in the sentences for assaults on emergency workers, as well as this Covenant. We just need to wait and see what the detail says.”

PFEW Chair John Apter added: “This Covenant will mean much more than words to serving or former police officers. It recognises the unique position they hold in society and the fact they very often put their lives on the line.

“The benefits of this Police Covenant will be welcomed by the entire policing family. We would therefore like to thank the Home Secretary for her enthusiastic support and for turning PFEW’s campaign for a Covenant into a reality.”