COMMITTEES


BETTER TRAINING, EQUIPMENT AND A


T


he Police Federation’s Operational Policing Sub-Committee, based at our national headquarters in


Leatherhead, covers everything to do with the frontlines – from response policing to Taser, self-defence and restraint, terrorism, roads policing and more. As Steve Hartshorn, who chairs the


committee, sums up: “Policing is a job like no other with so many moving parts which interconnect to ensure that we are able to protect and serve communities – and that’s also true of the of the sub-committee.” The group of Fed reps meet regularly


and work strategically with the likes of the Home Office, the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). Responding to the pandemic is a top


priority and members of the committee has been heavily involved with securing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline officers and making sure the right guidance is issued to keep up with ever-changing legislation. Taser is also a core area and, thanks to successful campaigning, officers with colour vision deficiency (CVD) are now able to apply for Taser training. Steve explained: “The Federation


challenged the College of Policing’s previous position, which we believed was neither fair, valid or reliable. Colleagues with CVD face the same dangers as everyone else. Denying them the opportunity to carry Taser was putting both their lives and the public’s lives at risk.


SAFER WORKPLACE In our latest spotlight on the work of Police Federation committees, SOPHIE GARROD finds out about the work of the Operation Policing Sub-Committee, including some of its successes and its priorities for this year


“This committee is also requesting officers receive training on vehicle extraction, as part of the new national self-defence and restraint training package that is due to be delivered in 2022. We would like it to encompass how and where to stop a vehicle safely, the best place to position yourself and how to deal with motorists who refuse to leave their vehicle after an offence has been committed. It’s not just a roads policing issue, it extends to any officers dealing with motorists. “As a former firearms officer, there


are some good techniques I have learnt over the years about where you position yourself in proximity to the vehicle to extract people out safely, without getting yourself injured. But this level of training is not given to other frontline officers. “Some of the push-back we get when


suggesting ideas to improve the safety is around costs of training or not having the right facilities, but what price do you put on the safety of colleagues or the public? It is absolutely paramount.” The sub-committee includes


Belinda Goodwin, who like Steve is a member of PFEW’s National Board. She also attends the PFEW women’s group and leads on the issue of body armour as well the challenges faced by officers going through the menopause. Zac Mader on PFEW’s black Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Belief Group, provides regular insights and guidance on any concerns on the pressing topic of allegations of disproportionality in


DID YOU KNOW? Motor vehicle allowances for members using their own vehicles for duty are payable at ‘essential user’ or ‘casual user’ rates according to your designation. Mileage is set according to HMRC rates (currently 45p per mile). For more on your rights, see – www.polfed.org


30 | POLICE | FEBRUARY 2021


Taser is a core area of the committee’s work


policing as well as diversity and inclusion. Upcoming priorities for the


committee include supporting the national roll-out of Operation Hampshire – a plan for Forces on how to support officers when they are a victim of assault. “We have managed to work with


the Wellbeing Committee, and we have pushed this forward as we saw a real need for this to become national. We will continue to work to make sure Operation Hampshire is embedded in policing because it is so important. You think these processes are already in place but many are not,” Steve said. He added that feedback from officers is also followed up by the committee in its discussions with decision makers. For example, on the C2 form which requests legal advice, a Federation member suggested including a box for a welfare support programme referral and that has now been incorporated. Another suggestion which the committee, with the support of members supplying evidence to the NPCC lead for Less lethal weapons helped make a reality is around carrying Taser in court. Following a change in legislation, officers are now permitted to carry the device into courtrooms, saving them precious time and inconvenience. “We want to make sure our


colleagues get the very best treatment going forward. It’s pleasing to see some of the work we started a while ago is now coming together and I can give officers reassurance that we can get better equipment, better training, better sentencing and a safer workplace,” said Steve.


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