PSA President Nick Smart has commented following the release of a report by HMICFRS into the Summer 2024 riots and disorder:
“It is right that we review and understand our efficiency when it comes to our response to major incidents. The police Service was placed under immense strain during the summer disorder, and did everything it could to protect communities whilst maintaining public confidence, but it is crucial that we learn so we can improve.
“The wellbeing recommendations made within this report are of particular importance. Inspectors outline the vast inconsistency in the wellbeing support offered to police officers placed in these highly charged, dangerous situations. This is not acceptable. Officers were placing themselves on the frontline of violent disorder, often sustaining serious injuries. The least they should expect is care and support from their force.
“We have repeatedly called for a thematic inspection of force occupational health and wellbeing support, so that we can better understand the scale of this inconsistency and where gaps lie. We can then seek to mandate minimum standards, such as adherence to the Bluelight Wellbeing Framework, and show officers and staff the value they deserve.
“We also strongly support the call to examine the contributions made by forces to Police Treatment and Wellbeing Centres, and for central, Home Office funding for these critical services. Police officers put themselves in danger every day – most powerfully demonstrated during the riots – they should not be paying for their own medical treatment.”
The HMICFRS report can be viewed here.
“It is right that we review and understand our efficiency when it comes to our response to major incidents. The police Service was placed under immense strain during the summer disorder, and did everything it could to protect communities whilst maintaining public confidence, but it is crucial that we learn so we can improve.
“The wellbeing recommendations made within this report are of particular importance. Inspectors outline the vast inconsistency in the wellbeing support offered to police officers placed in these highly charged, dangerous situations. This is not acceptable. Officers were placing themselves on the frontline of violent disorder, often sustaining serious injuries. The least they should expect is care and support from their force.
“We have repeatedly called for a thematic inspection of force occupational health and wellbeing support, so that we can better understand the scale of this inconsistency and where gaps lie. We can then seek to mandate minimum standards, such as adherence to the Bluelight Wellbeing Framework, and show officers and staff the value they deserve.
“We also strongly support the call to examine the contributions made by forces to Police Treatment and Wellbeing Centres, and for central, Home Office funding for these critical services. Police officers put themselves in danger every day – most powerfully demonstrated during the riots – they should not be paying for their own medical treatment.”
The HMICFRS report can be viewed here.