ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
John Apter
PFEW CHAIR: ‘ASSAULTS AGAINST COLLEAGUES DISGUST ME’
John Apter put Covid vaccinations and assaults against officers at the forefront of his keynote speech to the Federation’s Annual Conference. The National Chair addressed the virtual event from a studio
in Westminster and reflected on the extraordinary challenges of policing the pandemic. This had included enforcing rapidly changing Government guidelines that were “far from clear” and seeing attacks on police officers rocket by 26 per cent. John said: “I have a message to those who goaded my
colleagues, who attacked police officers for simply doing their job, who weaponised Covid by coughing and spitting at my colleagues often saying they had Covid and they hope the officer caught it and died… you completely disgust me.” He praised the “silent majority” who appreciate the sacrifices
police officers have made, and he criticised the Home Secretary for her failure to ensure police officers were given priority for the Covid vaccine. Those “warm words became lame actions”, he said, adding that policing felt betrayed. However, John gave the Government credit for bringing
forward legislation to introduce a Police Covenant and double the maximum sentence for assaults on emergency workers. But he warned the changes will mean “absolutely nothing without sentencing guidance that is fit for purpose”. The National Chair also called on Priti Patel to be “intrusive”
about the welfare and safety of police officers. This means continuing to question what safety equipment and training they have, he said. He took a swipe at social media companies which allow their
platforms to be used by vile individuals who film attacks on police officers for entertainment and raised the issue of police officer pay. John told conference: “In real terms, officers have already
had to suffer an 18 per cent cut during the last decade.” Officers need a pay review body that policing “can have faith in” and a binding agreement from the Government that it will implement any recommendations in full, he said.
12 I POLICE I AUGUST 2021
The Home Secretary
MESSAGE FROM HOME SECRETARY
Home Secretary Priti Patel told the Police Federation Conference that she has got officers’ backs. Describing herself as a political advocate at
Westminster for police officers, she insisted: “Nothing gives me greater pride that being able to work with men and women who do an extraordinary job under increasingly extraordinary circumstances.” Ms Patel talked about joining the police on patrol
and attending raids to keep informed about the realities of policing, as well as valuing her dialogue with the Police Federation. She cited the uplift programme – through which 8,771
officers have been recruited so far as part of a 20,000 uplift, the Police Covenant and increasing sentences for assaults against emergency workers as evidence of her support for the service. The Home Secretary acknowledged the prevalence of assaults against emergency workers during the pandemic and said she had been appalled by the attacks on police in Bristol earlier this year. Calling the behaviour “grotesque”, she added: “It is
an attack on the fabric of our society. And every police uniform is worn by a human being who is entitled to dignity and respect. The right to protest and speak freely does not include the right to smash up property, or abuse police officers.” She concluded her remarks by encouraging officers
to feel very proud to wear the uniform: “Without you, the public would not feel safe. Without you, criminals would run riot and this country would fall apart. This country depends on you. And I have got your backs.”
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