THE CHAIR ASKS


<<< Continued from previous page


I’ve seen the number of assaults on emergency workers. I’ve seen the horrible, the absolutely horrible scarring – I think there’s no other way of putting this – caused by the impact of these assaults. As a Home Secretary with the ability to bring about this change, I want to make sure these changes happen. Recently, I spoke with the wife of an officer who’d been dragged along the road and was very badly injured. The support the family had, from the local Federation and Force really mattered. She explained that it was nice the family were recognised and supported – I know that matters to you, especially with the Police Covenant.


3: Assault on an emergency worker is ‘reprehensible’


JA: When it comes to assaults, very often my colleagues feel they are let down by the wider criminal justice system. We are seeing some more appropriate sentences. But when a police officer or emergency worker is assaulted, that’s an assault on society and there must be a deterrent. So, what reassurances can the Government give to my colleagues, and the wider emergency service family, that assaulting them is completely unacceptable? And what can we do to demonstrate to society that it is unacceptable?


HS: The bottom line, an assault on an emergency worker is reprehensible and it is thoroughly unacceptable. Over the last four months, we’ve been going through this Covid pandemic which has been psychologically debilitating for the entire nation. Look at the amazing work our emergency workers have been doing - look at the way they have been there for our communities At the same time over recent months we’ve seen our officers be spat at, abused, and subject to all sorts of abhorrent and appalling behaviour. As parents, we bring our children up to


respect one another. I find it extraordinary that people think it is acceptable to participate in verbal abuse, physical abuse and psychological abuse - it’s thoroughly unacceptable. You’re absolutely right, John, to point to


the criminal justice system, because we are speaking about sentencing. I believe there


should be strong sentences, firm sentences, and just sentences for those individuals who know what they are doing. They are the perpetrators of violence, crime, disorder, and thuggery against people who are upholding the law, protecting us on the frontline, and serving their community. It is thoroughly unacceptable. I find it extraordinary that there are some members of society who think this is acceptable – it is simply not. We are dealing with this through various


means of legislation, and have launched a consultation on the question of maximum sentences. We must send a powerful message to the perpetrators and also to our courts, that as a society we’re not going to tolerate this.


4: Stop and search is an essential tool in policing - officers should never feel intimidated


JA: Over recent weeks and months, we’ve seen stop and search come under real focus - especially within our BAME communities. But it causes tension. I stand by stop and search being an incredibly important and useful tool in preventing crime and saving lives. My colleagues are becoming increasingly concerned about using this tool because of the fear of what it might bring. What’s your thoughts on stop and search, and on the way it’s being used?


HS: First of all, stop and search is an essential tool in policing and our officers should never feel intimidated. I think we should put this into context. You and I have sat with officers, where we have met families whose lives have been torn apart and devastated when their sons and daughters have been murdered on the streets of our country through weaponry. I don’t really call them knives – I call them weapons, because they are weapons. These are young people – in my eyes children who need help, support and love and care. I have had so many parents say to me: “Why are we not using more stop and search? My son would be alive, my daughter would be alive today, if there was more use of stop and search.” In my time as Home Secretary there are certain things that will live with me involving families and the devastating impact criminality and crime has on people’s lives and communities. You mentioned BAME communities - these are the same communities who would


ask the question ‘why aren’t the police doing more?’ if we didn’t have stop and search and there were huge amounts of deaths taking place. We police by consent – policing is integral to the community and community relations, and we have to work harder to make sure we can support each other when it comes to preventing crime. But stop and search absolutely is a crucial


tool in policing. I think it will be a sorry state of affairs if police officers feel intimidated about using one of the fundamental tools they are well trained to use.


5: Policing is in my family


JA: As Home Secretary, people would expect you to be there for policing. But with you, it feels more personal. Even before you were Home Secretary, we had a conversation and then your passion for policing was welcome. What is it about policing that makes you so passionate about what you are doing for us?


HS: I think it’s very much the values – the shared values we have. I think great policing also defines the type of society we have. When I look at our police officers day in, day out, I am just overwhelmed not just by their bravery, but their humanity. Policing is in my family. My brother- in-law is a part of policing too. And I have heard just the most extraordinary things and exceptional things about policing. I feel really quite strongly about this. My work is about putting people first, and I see big similarities with policing. Our officers put people first day in, day out. We are here to serve our communities. In my position I’ve been able to


understand the pressures, constraints, highs and lows of policing. And what a privilege it is to work alongside UK/British policing.


6: My door is always open


JA: You have been Home Secretary for a year now and so much has happened, not only within policing. What things have really frustrated you?


HS: There has been so much over the last 12 months. Again, a bit like policing – highs and lows. There are endemic frustrations without


20 | POLICE | SEPTEMBER 2020


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36