OFFICER WELFARE


This will be monitored with interest given time it has taken to persuade forces to adopt phase one (which is still not perfect in its application).


RISK ASSESSMENTS


Our National Board colleague Hayley Ayley has worked


tirelessly around this area in pushing meaningful risk assessments to be as standard for officers going through any misconduct process. Given lengthy timelines, flawed investigations and a recent chaos around


are risk assessed and given all the appropriate care to prevent any suicides. This is a silent killer of our police officers. A broken mind leads to extreme action and in some forces even recording of mental health conditions anywhere is actively blocked. This is unacceptable and those


from the outset as to how this can and should look. The work is fast moving and set to be in play by April 2025.


SUMMARY


“Given lengthy timelines, flawed investigations and a recent chaos around


vetting and the way misconduct hearings are held it is even more important than ever that forces take responsibility in the well-being of officers going through this process.”


vetting and the way misconduct hearings are held it is even more important than ever that forces take responsibility in the well-being of officers going through this process. I have in my federation career seen officers go through harrowing experiences that has caused real and serious harm leaving them damaged by the process. Risk assessments are vital in identifying early risk and support. It has recently been accepted by the covenant that this should be part of APP but the work is slow moving and I was hoping to have something meaningful in place by now. I will be glad when this finally takes shape and would be a step in the right direction seeing best practice and support being employed by forces nationally.


SUICIDE PREVENTION There has been a frightening increase in officers taking their own lives but also attempts to do so. The reason for our officers entering into such dark depths of despair can be varied however at the very least the stressors of policing will surely be playing a part in this and it is essential that forces take ownership of the looming threat. Forces do not record those officers who


take or attempt to take their own lives, few even look into the reasons or full detail as to why this is happening. I am shocked that in 2023-2024 we can only put a finger in the air to try and answer how many officers have took their own lives let alone why. The covenant has commenced some work around this and PFEW want to be actively involved. Officers under lengthy investigations are particularly vulnerable and awaiting results of an inquest should not prevent forces doing their own work and recording findings. Lessons must be learned and responsibility taken to ensure wellbeing of officers who are clearly suffering from mental health conditions


31 | POLICE | FEBRUARY | 2024


minority of forces who are doing very well in this work need to become the majority and eventually the ‘all’


OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STANDARDS The structure of OH departments vary nationwide and as do the standards and resilience. OH role in policing is critical in keeping a functional workforce. The covenant is working towards all OH units to strive for enhanced standards as a foundation to improve service to policing. The target date for this is 2025.


24/7 HELPLINE The lack of crisis support for our police officers is clear and severely lacking in comparison with other emergency services. At the PFEW conference the former home secretary announced a 24/7 crisis helpline for officers. Welcome news but as a staff association having been there for our members 24/7 for over 100 years this was the first we had ever heard of this. This was an opportunity missed to allow consultation


The above areas of work are just a few examples of the work undertaken by the covenant. Other areas include reduction around hindrance stressors, NHS engagement and family support model. Given the covenant has not been around for long it’s arguable that it is still in its infancy, but progress can be slow and financially constricted.


Time will tell if better investment gets put into the covenant but until then areas of work may end up being restricted or limited. There are very bumpy roads ahead for policing and recent evidence suggests policing is on its knees. Morale is at the lowest point I have seen in my career and real investment needs to take place in infrastructure to support forces in better wellbeing. If our officers are not supported they will break. A broken workforce cannot deal with the complexities that face policing in these times and the public will be let down. Well-being cannot be dismissed and cannot be paid lip service. These areas of work have to be noticed and felt positively by the frontline as that is ultimately why it is there. If it is not then it is not working. Every implementation of these workstreams also need monitoring and constant consultation to ensure it remains fit and flexible to evolve.


Paul Williams PFEW Wellbeing co-lead


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