NEWS
FED WARNS OF POTENTIAL INJURIES FROM WEARING BODY ARMOUR WHEN NOT NEEDED
The Federation is urging officers to take steps to protect themselves from back injuries that can be caused by wearing body armour. The Back to Basics campaign has been launched by a PFEW working group, set up to consider back, neck and shoulder issues relating to officers’ kit. Steve Hartshorn, PFEW Lead for
Operational Policing, explained: “Body armour serves a very important function and should absolutely be worn when it’s needed. The problem is wearing it when it’s not needed, such as back at the station or in vehicles. “Our bodies are not designed to
carry around this amount of weight or be restricted long-term and it can potentially lead to health issues.” The Federation working group looked
at problems caused by the extra weight of what officers carry day-to-day, such as mobile units and other items of kit. It established that officers across England and Wales are being referred to police treatment centres with back,
shoulder and neck pain. The centres have created specialist classes to teach core and strengthening exercises to protect members’ backs – something PFEW welcomes. The Back to Basics initiative will
highlight the damage that body armour can potentially cause to the wearer and ways to prevent it. We want to work with our members on the importance of looking after their core and wearing body armour appropriately. Supporting this work is a second
strand reminding forces of their responsibility to look after the welfare of officers and encourage good practice around body armour use including reviewing whether assigned body armour still fits correctly after 12 months. Steve added: “We will be working with
Flint House, the Police Treatment Centres and the North-West Police Benevolent Fund to share ways to help ease the strain on your muscles and skeleton. Your body is your most important piece of kit and we want to help you to look after it.”
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06 I POLICE I AUGUST 2021
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