Today Home Secretary Priti Patel is announcing that a new National Police Covenant will be enshrined in law to give our police the recognition and support that they deserve. I fully agree with this initiative and look forward to it coming into force across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It will enhance support and protection for the entire police family.
Assaults on police officers have been increasing in recent years, including the tragic killing of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire last year. Such violence is utterly unacceptable. All attacks on the police must be prosecuted and the maximum possible penalty demanded by the prosecution. The fact that an attack was made on an officer wearing the Queen’s Uniform must be seen as an aggravating factor when it comes to sentencing. This Police Covenant will provide formal recognition and a sign of clear value to the families of officers and staff who have made sacrifices in carrying out their duties.
The move follows a long campaign for a Covenant to match that already in place for the Armed Forces, and will ensure that the welfare of officers, police staff and their families is placed under regular Parliamentary scrutiny. This was preceded by a public consultation process, which found more than 90 per cent of respondents backed Government plans for a Covenant.
The Covenant applies to serving and former police personnel. It creates a statutory duty for forces to support police officers and places a requirement on the Home Secretary to report annually to Parliament. It will focus on protection, health and well-being, and support for families.
The consultation, launched earlier this year, was aimed at those serving with the police, those who have previously done so, their families and any groups with an interest in supporting the police in England and Wales. Over 1,000 responses to the consultation were received, with the highest proportion coming from serving police officers, followed by police staff and retired officers.
The government has published its findings today and has outlined proposals to implement the Covenant. These include:
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enshrining a police covenant in law, creating a statutory duty to do more to support the police
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placing a requirement on the Home Secretary to report annually to Parliament on progress with the covenant
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ensuring the covenant applies to all those working within or retired from policing roles, whether paid or as a volunteer
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putting the initial focus of the covenant on physical protection, health and wellbeing, as well as support for families
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Implementing a new governance structure to drive forward activity on wellbeing and protection to fulfil the covenant.
John Apter, National Chair, Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said "PFEW have campaigned relentlessly for a police covenant and we are delighted it will now be enshrined in law and subject to regular Parliamentary scrutiny. This covenant will mean much more than words to serving or former police officers. It recognises the unique position they hold in society and the fact they very often put their lives on the line. The benefits of this police covenant will be welcomed by the entire policing family. We would therefore like to thank the Home Secretary for her enthusiastic support and for turning PFEW’s campaign for a covenant into a reality."
President of the Police Superintendents’ Association, Paul Griffiths, said "The police covenant will provide formal recognition and a sign of clear value to the families of officers and staff who have made sacrifices in carrying out their duties. As an association, we have repeatedly called for this recognition of our workforce, and we were delighted to hear news of the police covenant at our conference last year. Today’s update is extremely positive and we will provide the experience and support of our members in further work to develop this. Our people put themselves at risk each day as they work to protect the public, something that is now more acute than ever, when faced with the challenges of coronavirus and increased reports of assaults against our officers. This important step forwards will ensure that our duty to our people begins to mirror that of our duty to the public."
The police covenant marks the latest step in the government’s campaign to back the police with more resources, powers and protections. Other steps include:
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the biggest funding boost for the policing system in a decade, with up to £1.1 billion more going towards the police compared to last year
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the recruitment of 20,000 additional officers over the next three years – over 4,300 of whom have already joined police forces across England and Wales
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expanded stop and search powers which have empowered over 8,000 more officers to use them, and increased levels of stop and search which have resulted in more arrests – over 58,000 in the last year alone
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a consultation on doubling the maximum sentence for assaulting police officers and other emergency service workers.
The final wording for the police covenant, as included in the consultation response, is below:
This covenant acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who serve or have served in our Police Forces, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, whether as an officer or as a member of staff. It is intended to ensure that they and their families are not disadvantaged as a result of that commitment and seeks to mitigate the impact on their day to day life or in their access to justice.
Police officers are required at all times to uphold the important principles of policing by consent, the foundation of their long-standing relationship with the public. We ask a great deal of our police and we expect the highest standards to be maintained. In return, we have a responsibility to provide protection and support to the police.
The covenant recognises that working within policing comes with a high level of personal accountability, duty and responsibility requiring courage and personal risk both on and off duty. This recognition extends to all those who support police forces in upholding the principles and practices of their vocation. Recognising those who have served in policing unites the country and demonstrates the value of their sacrifice. This has no greater expression than in upholding this covenant.
Photo shows Rupert Matthews with Home Secretary Priti Patel
