NEWS


ONE IN THREE OFFICERS FACED VIRUS BEING USED AS WEAPON


A Police Federation of England and Wales survey has highlighted the reality of the impact on the health of police officers during the pandemic. Our 2020 Demand, Capacity and


Welfare survey provides clear evidence of highly pressurised workloads, poor work/life balance among officers, and details the damaging effects of the Covid-19 crisis on the health of rank and file officers.


A significant number of officers (26 per cent) said they believed they had contracted the virus – and almost half of these thought it was through work- related activities. Almost one in three respondents (32 per cent) reported that a member of the public had purposely threatened to breathe or cough on them, and 28 per cent had performed Covid-19 duties involving Covid-related deaths. Officers said they had been frequently exposed to incidents which


placed them at risk of physical and/or psychological harm, with 16 per cent stating they had suffered one or more injuries requiring medical attention. Over half (55 per cent) had been the victim of an unarmed physical attack over the previous 12 months. The survey found that officers felt


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undervalued for the dangerous work they do, and high levels of fatigue and occupational stress were found to be commonplace. Mental health and wellbeing issues were highlighted by 77 per cent of police officers. A total of 32 per cent of officers who had taken sick leave, had done so due to stress, depression, or anxiety, while over half of the respondents (60 per cent) said their workload was too high.


PFEW National Chair John Apter


said: “The results of this survey have come directly from our members, those police officers who are on the frontline dealing with whatever society throws at them. The increasing level of violence they face, especially involving the ‘weaponising’ of the virus, is a sad indictment of the society we live in. Government must hear them; they must be given all the protection they need to protect themselves. This includes being prioritised for the Covid vaccine. We have had enough of the warm words – we now need action.”


Our biennial Demand and Capacity


survey forms part of PFEW’s submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), which provides advice to the Government on pay and conditions for police officers. It was compiled by PFEW’s Research and Policy team.


Surrey Force in mourning for


‘outstanding detective’ Alex Tributes have been paid to DC Alex Protts, a Surrey detective who lost her battle with bowel cancer in January. Mel Warnes, Chair of Surrey Police


Federation, described her as a “tenacious police ofcer” and an “inspirational human being”.


She added: “Alex was well known in


Surrey Police and beyond for the work she did to educate people about bowel cancer and remaining so positive throughout her own illness. We will never forget that she was an outstanding and award-winning detective who loved being a police ofcer.” In 2018, Alex was commended for her


role in uncovering a complex human trafcking case and bringing the perpetrators to justice.


08 | POLICE | FEBRUARY 2021


Alex Protts


She received a judge’s and Chief Constable’s commendation, as well as an award from the Police Federation National Detectives’ Forum.


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