Police chief writes moving letter as lockdown simplifies and life ‘returns to normal’ | UK | New UK News

John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said Covid had seen a ‘foreign’ style of policing both to the public and to officers. In 15 months, the thin blue line was stretched to breaking point as forces clashed with violent lockout protesters. But much of their work has gone unnoticed. He said that without the support of the “silent majority” their work would have been impossible.

Writing exclusively for the Daily Express, Mr Apter said: “We have all done our best and collectively our goal has been to save lives and stop the spread of this deadly virus. Police officers have been placed in an extremely difficult position, monitoring the evolving rules and legislation of Covid-19. Without your support and understanding, their work would have been impossible.

“You will have seen a style of policing that was foreign to you. It is also foreign to my colleagues. We did not join the police to the police the way we should have. But it was necessary to protect themselves and save lives.

“We didn’t just apply during the pandemic. At the height of the virus, as hundreds of lives were lost every day, police stood alongside doctors and nurses in hospitals, helping patients in their beds. We drove ambulances, worked in makeshift morgues; do more than you can imagine.

“Maintaining order is a vocation. We do what we do because we care. That is why, coming out of isolation, it is important to maintain our relationship with the public and rebuild it where necessary. “

Mental illness is estimated to cost the police service between £ 189 million and £ 229 million per year.

One in four emergency services workers have considered suicide. Between 2011 and 2019, 138 police officers committed suicide.

Meanwhile, figures suggest the number of assaults on frontline officers increased by more than a fifth during the lockdown.

Growing concern over the increase in violent clashes – as evidenced by the so-called Kill The Bill protests – comes as overworked forces prepare for the latest easing of the lockdown today.

Mr Apter said: “I am proud to be a police officer and I am proud to be the National Chairman of the Police Federation, which represents 130,000 police officers across England and Wales. For these officers, you should be incredibly proud. I know that policing this pandemic has been difficult for you, but also for your families. I want to thank you personally and know that the majority of the public agrees.

“You’ve been vilified by some media and criticized by others for just doing your job. Always remember that the vast majority of the public supports you and what you do, although I accept that this is not always the case.

“And to you, the public, this silent majority that I know supports my colleagues, thank you.

The letter reads as follows:

As we begin the journey out of containment, accepting that we still have a way to go, I want to take this opportunity to thank the public who have been incredibly supportive of the police service during this most extraordinary time. It has been a very difficult time for many – losing loved ones, losing jobs and putting restrictions on us that would have been unimaginable before this pandemic.

We have all done our best over the past 15 months and collectively our goal has been to save lives and stop the spread of this deadly virus. Police officers have been placed in an extremely difficult position, monitoring the evolving rules and legislation of Covid-19. Without your support and understanding, their work would have been impossible.

You will have seen a style of typing that was foreign to you. It’s also foreign to my colleagues. We did not join the police to the police the way we should have. But it was necessary to protect themselves and save lives.

We didn’t just apply during the pandemic. At the height of the virus, when hundreds of lives Lost every day, police stood alongside doctors and nurses in hospitals, helping patients in their beds. We drove ambulances, worked in makeshift morgues; do more than you can imagine.

Maintaining order is a vocation. We do what we do because we care. That’s why, as we come out of lockdown, it is important that we maintain our relationship with the public and rebuild it where necessary.

I am proud to be a police officer; and I am proud to be the National President of the Police Federation, representing 130,000 police officers across England and Wales. For these officers, you should be incredibly proud. I know that policing this pandemic has been difficult for you, but also for your families. I want to thank you personally and know that the majority of the public agrees.

You have been vilified by some media and criticized by others for just doing your job. Never forget, the vast majority of the public supports you and what you do, although I accept that this is not always the case.

And to you, the public, this silent majority which I know supports my colleagues, thank you.

John apter

National president