NEWS


HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19


Twenty-four Forces released figures in November which revealed that a total of 849 officers had tested positive for Covid-19 this year. The Federation believes the numbers would have been far higher had we not campaigned so effectively for Forces to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to officers on the frontlines. PFEW National Chair John Apter


commented: “Police officers will always be in close contact with a large amount of people during their shifts. Inevitably some officers will catch the virus, although we would rather this not be the case. If it weren’t for the Federation campaigning so hard for PPE, this figure would be considerably higher.” Mr Apter added that the virus was


also taking a toll on the mental health and wellbeing of officers. “They continue to work 12-hour shifts and have rest days cancelled to help protect the public


at this difficult time. There is also the constant worry of taking the virus home to their loved ones which is exacerbated when they deal with offenders who ‘weaponise’ the virus by spitting, biting and coughing – which is disgusting and unacceptable,” he said. Spit and cough attacks by vile


individuals who claim to have Covid rose by 74 per cent in the first lockdown period. The Federation will continue to lobby the Government and the Sentencing Council to ensure that harsher sentences are handed down to those who attack emergency workers. PFEW continues to urge members to


take precautions. This includes wearing masks, particularly when social distancing is not an option; washing hands; wiping down equipment before and after use; and downloading the NHS ‘Test and Trace’ app to your personal phones. The guideline leaflet on PPE also


contains practical advice around stop and search procedures, how to handle contact with the public, and what PPE measures are required to handle many routine situations. The Metropolitan Police and 20


other UK Forces did not provide figures on Covid cases to the Press Association researchers.


Met officers discuss race with Bonnie Greer


the “responsibility and history” they bring to their roles. PC June Alison Durant


told the event about how being a black Met ofcer put her at odds with her community and her son was the only family member to attend her passing out parade. “I’ve been called a


Civil Rights campaigner Bonnie Greer OBE discussed race relations with police ofcers as part of a panel for National Hate Crime Awareness Week in October. She talked candidly about


growing up in the United States and how race had framed interactions with the police, adding that ofcers from ‘protected characteristic’ backgrounds needed to understand


sell-out. I’ve been in full uniform and had black men approaching me asking ‘is this how you treat your people?’,” she said. PC Rich Poolman gave an


LGBT perspective: “There was one incident years ago with a large male suspect and I got comments like ‘let a real man deal with this’.” As a white ofcer he has been viewed with suspicion by black members of the public, once being surrounded by a crowd of people filming as he stopped a young black boy who matched a missing person’s description.


Praise for new-look POLICE


Judging by our inbox, readers are impressed with the new and improved POLICE magazine. We love to hear what you think, whether its praise or suggestions on how we can improve so please get in touch with us at editor@polfed.org


“ Just to say how heart-warming the articles by AC Neil Basu and about Nick Ellis and June Durant are. In these days of highlighting divisions and shaming individuals the words of AC Basu were truly inspiring. Nick and June both stand as shining beacons for the diversity that is vital in reaching all parts of our nation’s communities. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them as a serving ofcer.” Derbyshire Constabulary sergeant


“ The interview with Sir Tom Winsor was particularly an eye-opener for me. I thought the manner in which it was written gave a very interesting account of a variety of topics and the style of questioning was sufciently challenging. I look forward to the next edition!” Staf Ofcer, Met Police


“ Having just read and watched John Apter’s interview with Sir Tom Winsor, I would just like to say what a great interview that was. Not only the difcult questions posed but also Sir Tom’s candid and thorough answers, which has certainly shown him in a diferent light (to me at least)” Sergeant, Northamptonshire Police


DECEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 07


THE POLICE FEDERATION OF ENGLAND AND WALES


NOVEMBER 2020


News How the Fed is fighting for firearms ofcer W80


Features Challenging the stigma around HIV


The Chair Asks


Sir Tom Winsor on the Winsor Review, 43-force model and wearing ‘that’ uniform to National Police Memorial Day


FACE OF POLICING THE CHANGING 01_Police_Nov2020v3.indd 1 28/10/2020 14:23


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