A Police Covenant to protect our dedicated officers, both in and out of the job, will be introduced next year after lobbying from a group of Conservative MPs.
The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, recently announced that the UK Government will legislate to bring in the Covenant, which will focus on protecting officers and staff, health and wellbeing and support for their families and cover serving and retired staff.
The move follows campaigning from Blue Collar Conservatives, a group of Conservative MPs in Westminster, among them local MP Sarah Atherton.
Sarah Atherton MP said:
“I am delighted the Home Secretary listened and realised how important it is that we show our Police Officers how much we value them. They put their lives on the line for others and it is right that we show we are on their side, and will give them all the protection and support they need both in and out of the job.
“Officers across Wrexham and North Wales work tirelessly trying to protect our streets, and I am sure they will welcome this recognition of all that they do.”
The Covenant recognises 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. The Covenant will address major inconsistencies across forces in terms of financial and emotional support for families of officers killed in the line of duty. It will create a statutory duty to do more to support the police, require Parliament to report annually on the Covenant, cover those both in work and retired whether paid or volunteering and focus on the wellbeing of officers.
Home Secretary Priti Patel 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.”