NEWS


Review sets out support for assaulted officers


The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has published the findings of its review into police officer safety, making 28 recommendations. These include a review of


equipment, an overhaul of safety training and a new College of Policing- led curriculum so that every officer receives the same standard of tuition, regardless of their force.


The review was commissioned by


Chiefs in response to serious attacks on police last year. It also sets out a minimum standard of support and communication that an assaulted officer or police staff member should receive, and urges Forces to roll out Operation Hampshire further. This includes a seven-point plan to reduce assaults; started locally in his home force by John Apter, now PFEW’s National Chair. His deputy Ché Donald said:


“There are many good points raised in this review, with much good work already in play. However, this review must not become just another door stop and be forgotten about. That would mean letting down our colleagues even further. “All too often colleagues are


not treated as victims when they are assaulted, leaving them feeling failed by supervisors and the criminal justice system, as they have made clear in this officer and staff survey.” PFEW believes officers should


have the very best equipment, training and support for the dangerous job they do – we made this crystal clear in our evidence to the review. More than 40,000 separate voices, including frontline officers, were surveyed by the College of Policing as part of the review.


Police chiefs are also discussing


with government: • A new offence of deliberately using, threatening or attempting to use a vehicle to target a police employee


• A hard-line approach to investigations into officer assaults with arrest of an offender becoming the default position. Last year there were 30,679 assaults


on police officers in England and Wales – that’s 84 a day.


Just over half of officers and PCSOs


were satisfied with the support they received from supervisors following a recent assault, and only 61 per cent said they were treated fairly and with respect across the entire police investigation and criminal justice process. Police chiefs have also been


advised to consider the benefits of any body worn video (BWV) footage of assaults on officers and staff being played at court, regardless of the defendant’s plea.


In August, PFEW wrote to Chief


Constables urging them to consider sharing more BWV online to show the full story behind clips which appear on social media. Following extensive lobbying by


PFEW, the Government has confirmed it will bring forward a new law to increase the maximum jail sentence from 12 months to two years for assaults on emergency workers.


Green light for faster, more accurate Taser


Police ofcers can be deployed with a more efective Taser in future after the new model was approved by the Home Ofce. Taser 7 is faster, more accurate and compact


than previous models. It will also reduce costs for forces by using rechargeable batteries. Ofcers who want to use the new device will


receive updated training and guidance, while Forces will be required to complete an additional record every time a Taser 7 is used, to monitor the efects and performance of the device. PFEW National Vice-Chair Ché Donald said: “We have always said Taser is a vital piece of


04 | POLICE | OCTOBER 2020


equipment which keeps both the public and ofcers on the frontline safe. It is an extremely efective means of dealing with many dangerous situations that our ofcers face and is a less lethal option in comparison to conventional firearms. “In 85 per cent of cases, simply drawing the


Taser from its holster de-escalates many situations safely, preventing a physical interaction. Taser 7 is a more modern, efective and safer device so the Home Secretary’s announcement is very welcome news.” Chief Constables will decide how many ofcers


in their force will carry the Taser 7 based on a strategic assessment of local risks.


Photo credit: Axon


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