NEWS


NEW POLICY FOR OFFICERS INVOLVED IN A PIP WELCOMED


Officers involved in incidents which result in a death or serious injury will be given protection - akin to colleagues who carry firearms - in College of Policing policy. In July, the College launched a Death or Serious Injury Authorised Professional Practice (DSI APP) policy. It sets out the steps that should be taken by forces to protect officers legally and ensure their welfare is looked after, as well as assisting with an investigation. It will apply to any Post Incident Procedures (PIP) that take place outside of a firearms PIP – which is covered by its own Armed Policing APP. PFEW’s PIP Lead Steve Hartshorn,


said: “There has been a deaths or serious injury policy in place for firearms for many years which has been tested through the courts and has set a standard that protects officers and assists with the provision of best evidence. I am pleased to say this new policy from the College


of Policing will afford those same protections to all our officers and staff.” The Federation has published


documents to assist colleagues who become involved in such incidents and can be used as part of local training or as aids during a PIP. There is a PIP leaflet and welfare support leaflet available to download from www.polfed.org or you can pick one up from your local Federation. Mr Hartshorn added: “We will


continue to support our members who are involved in a PIP not only through our Welfare Support Programme, but also by ensuring they have the right legal advice. We encourage anyone who finds themselves in this situation to contact their local Federation rep as soon as possible.” Further information can be obtained from the College of Policing website or your local branch.


“ We will continue to support our members who are involved in a PIP not only through our Welfare Support Programme, but also by ensuring they have the right legal advice”


Pressure on police back to pre-Covid levels


Officers are being “run ragged” with pressures on police back to pre-Covid levels, John Apter has said. Police Federation


of England and Wales (PFEW) National Chair made the remarks to radio broadcaster LBC on 1 August after the Government announced that facemasks will be mandatory in additional public places, including cinemas, museums and galleries, as well as shops and public transport. Asked how police could enforce this, Mr Apter said: “I’m scratching my head as to where the extra officers will come from. There are simply not the resources to police in that way. “We’re dealing with


members of the public who are getting increasingly frustrated with the changing restrictions. Officers are walking a tightrope trying to get the public to understand why we’re doing what we’re doing. But at the same time, we’ve people calling 999 because there’s a crime in action and we don’t have the resources to attend.”


The uplift of 20,000 police officers is on track despite the pandemic. More than 3,000 new officers are in place, but Mr Apter is concerned that too many experienced officers are leaving policing. He added: “The officers


DID YOU KNOW? If you incur NHS medical or dental charges because of an injury on duty your force must reimburse you. Some say this is at the Chief Constable’s discretion. It’s not - this is an entitlement. For more on your rights see - www.polfed.org


we’re getting through are really good people, but we’re still losing too many experienced officers. It’s like trying to fill a bucket when there’s a huge hole in it.”


SEPTEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 13


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