NEWS


CHAIR WANTS BODY-WORN VIDEO SHARED


Forces should consider uploading more body-worn video (BWV) footage to social media, so the public has a better understand of the realities of policing. It is becoming increasingly common for


the public to share selective video clips of police interactions online, leading to concerns over the detrimental effect it can have on public perception if unchallenged. National Chair of the Police Federation


of England and Wales, John Apter said: “What frustrates me is the armchair critics, who do not know the full details, making bold assumptions. This is incredibly damaging to policing as some people may believe this one-sided story which is being presented and undermines process we are trying to follow.” Most officers have body-worn video


cameras which Mr Apter called “one of the best introductions into policing in the past 10 years” as they provide balance, transparency, assist in gathering evidence and protect both officers and members of the public legally. He continued: “I would encourage


forces to publicise more body-worn footage, bearing in mind the status of any case, so the public can see the full picture – which


certainly is not the picture portrayed by some for their own means.” Research led by the University of


Cambridge’s Institution of Criminology shows the use of BWV is associated with a 93 per cent reduction in citizen complaints against police officers. Mr Apter added: “The majority of the public support the police and we truly appreciate that – but colleagues are being vilified for doing a really difficult job. They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.”


FED BACKING HELPED RICHARD DEAL WITH ASSAULT CLAIM


PC Richard Howlett attended a disturbance involving a group of teenagers where a 15-year-old boy became violent and was taken to the ground.


The boy claimed his arm had been broken. The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation and PC Howlett was removed from active duty. Fed rep Jim Mallen fought the


CHAIR SLAMS DAMAGING REPORTS


John Apter has criticised the media for anti-police news reports – including a Sky News focus on the number of serving officers with previous convictions. Given there are more than 130,000


officers and PCSOs in England and Wales, the 200 figure cited in the report is a tiny percentage, explained the Federation’s National Chair who referred to it as a “regurgitated anti-police story” which “just wants to undermine policing”. He warned of the detrimental effect on officers, the public and potentially the Government’s recruitment drive. Mr Apter said: “Policing is going through


a tough time right now and these continuous attacks are chipping away at the morale of our members who are doing their best during this trying period. In the current climate where it is fair game to attack policing I would not be surprised if officers conduct less stop and searches out of fear of being publicly berated. They are damned whatever they do.”


officer’s corner, taking the pressure off him and allowing him to put his focus back on to work, while providing monthly case updates. The Federation provided the best legal expertise and representation, making sure the case was heard fairly. Jim also arranged for PC Howlett to be put up in a hotel on the night before his hearing so that he had space to prepare. Happily, he was completely


exonerated.


He said: “I really couldn’t have done it without the Federation. I owe Jim and his colleague Emma Carter a debt of thanks that I’m still trying to work out how to repay. When I joined the force at 18, I thought about other things I could spend my Fed subscription on. Thank goodness I stayed a member. Going through this without the Federation by my side would have been totally impossible.”


Assault on a police officer in Luton, which was shared on Twitter


Have you got a story of how the Fed helped you? Email editor@polfed.org


SEPTEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 29


WHAT THE FED DID FOR ME


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