NEWS


VIEW FROM THE CHAIR


‘ Police should be vaccine priority’


The Federation has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to “do the right thing” and ensure police officers receive priority access to Covid-19 vaccines.


Our National Chair, John Apter, said: “It’s time for the Prime Minister to do the right thing for police officers in the thick of this pandemic. I am calling on him to back my colleagues in their time of need as more are absent from work after contracting the virus or having to self-isolate. “We’ve lobbied the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) who have raised this directly with Government. Despite positive responses, no formal decision has been made, and we now need immediate Government action. That’s why the Prime Minister must make a decision – does he support police officers being prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine or not? “This is certainly not about jumping the queue in front of the most vulnerable members of society or those on the NHS frontline. It’s about ensuring policing is resilient enough to cope with the demands of the pandemic and that my colleagues can continue to support the public during these exceptional times.” John hit out after the Government failed to announce a decision despite weeks of high-level lobbying over the issue by PFEW and the NPCC. He wrote directly to NPCC chair Martin Hewitt requesting that new and urgent representations are made directly to Government over the issue. In his letter, John stressed PFEW’s full support for the lobbying and wrote that he valued NPCC’s help and understanding on the “vitally important issue”. However, he added: “If we expect police officers to continue to police in the way that we do then it’s essential they are given the protection they deserve.


“Getting hands-on and working in close


contact with members of the public is often unavoidable. This creates a risk, not only for our members and the public they are dealing with, but also for the officers’ families. “I formally request that the NPCC makes


representations to ensure that police officers are prioritised as part of the Covid-19 vaccine programme.”


Welcome to the first POLICE magazine of this year. With the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines there’s so much to hope for in 2021 – but for now we’re still in tough times. One of those challenges is the increase in assaults on our members. Figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council show an appalling 10 per cent increase in attacks against emergency services in November compared to the previous year. And of course, we’re continuing to see a vile minority ‘weaponising’ the virus by coughing and spitting at officers. I couldn’t have been clearer with Government, the media and the public, that those who assault our colleagues in this way should face prison. We are consulting on changes to the sentencing guidelines to achieve this. But I share members’ frustration that change happens too slowly. This year we can look forward to the Police Powers


and Protections Bill passing into law. It contains a number of things we’ve been campaigning long and hard for, such as better protections for emergency drivers, increased sentencing for assaults on officers, a police covenant and the inclusion of specials to join the Federation if they want – and hopefully the process of that legislation making its way through Parliament will have begun by the time you read this. The last 12 months have been exceptionally


challenging. As a society, we are tired and frustrated with the restrictions and what has been asked of us. The vaccine roll-out offers welcome hope, but after the pandemic is over and we return to a new normal, I know colleagues will bear the scars. The Federation will need to pick up a damaged workforce. I’d like to invite you to play a part in that great effort.


This is an election year for the Police Federation. So, if you’ve ever considered becoming a Fed rep please look out for the information that we will be circulating soon or speak to your local branch about what the role entails. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping your colleagues, influencing local or national policies and making sure that your colleagues’ voices are heard.


Enjoy the edition.


John Apter National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales


FEBRUARY 2021 | POLICE | 05


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