The government will enshrine a new covenant in law to
enhance support and protection for the police.
This follows the publication of a consultation today
(Tuesday 8th September), which found more than 90 per cent
of respondents backed government plans for a police
covenant.
The new covenant will apply to all serving or former police
personnel.
The Home Secretary announced the publication of the
government response to the consultation in a virtual speech
to the Police Superintendents’ Association, where she
outlined her commitment to stand firmly by the side of the
police.
Home Secretary said:
The police and the families that stand behind them
deserve special recognition.
Their bravery and sacrifices are what keep us and our
loved ones safe.
I will put the police covenant in law to ensure they will
always have the support of the nation.
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:
-
enshrining a police covenant in law, creating a
statutory duty to do more to support the police
-
placing a requirement on the Home Secretary to report
annually to Parliament on progress with the covenant
-
ensuring the covenant applies to all those working
within or retired from policing roles, whether paid or
as a volunteer
-
putting the initial focus of the covenant on physical
protection, health and wellbeing, as well as support
for families
-
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:
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
a consultation on doubling the maximum sentence for
assaulting police officers and other emergency service
workers.
The full consultation
response
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.
