ROADS POLICING
Meet Steve Taylor, our Deputy Lead for Roads Policing. He was Chair of Essex Police Federation for four years before the joining the PFEW’s National Board this year. “Members have always been my drive, and that’s something I’m carrying on a national level,” said Steve.
“ I care passionately about this portfolio area and will work for the best interests of all who police the UK road network”
the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire & Rescue Service (HMICFRS) and the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS). All found that roads policing has been majorly impacted by austerity and now needs urgent funding and resources to recover. Gemma has worked closely with roads officers for most of her career with Suffolk Police and later City of London, her current force. As a Federation rep, she has specialised in the areas of Conduct and Performance and Post Incident Procedures (PIP), utilising her background in response policing and protective services. She is keen to ensure police officers have a full understanding of the PIP process. Gemma joined the National Board last
December and was asked to lead on the National Roads Policing portfolio. She has also chaired the Roads Policing Forum since May this year. “I care passionately about this portfolio area and will work for the best interests of all who police the UK road network. Cuts to force budgets have had a massive impact – in relative terms, the number of roads policing officers has fallen by far more than the overall reduction in police numbers,” she said. “Despite that, this is a very positive time
for roads policing thanks to this work and the HMICFRS and Home Office reviews. It is time for everyone to recognise and prioritise its importance. Chief constables must take notice and allocate budgets accordingly,” One of the Roads Forum’s wins has been
to persuade Government that the status quo, where police drivers are treated the same as
Your responses needed The number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads has plateaued since 2010 after years of steadily declining numbers. In response the government has launched a Roads Policing Review and is inviting stakeholders to submit evidence. Gemma Fox, PFEW Roads Policing Lead, said: “Roads policing has been under-funded and under-resourced for too long, with many officers ‘double hatting’ in roads and other roles. As a result, this vital area of policing has suffered, and the safety of the public has suffered too.” Members are encouraged to submit evidence before 5 October at:
tinyurl.com/yddoa5fw
civilian drivers, cannot stand. In practice it means officers can be prosecuted for driving outside of the ‘careful and competent driver’ common standard even when responding to emergencies. This is expected to be rectified in the Police Powers and Protections Bill 2019- 20 currently in Parliament. The Forum’s work has continued through
lockdown and is looking to build on the momentum established by those four reports to effect real, lasting change for roads policing officers. The group will be reintroducing monthly newsletters to keep members up to date with key updates from the Forum. Gemma added: “Our role is to give a voice
to the people on the ground. We understand what’s going on, and we’re passionate about making sure that your experience is represented at a national level.”
SEPTEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 23
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