Government prioritises officers' mental health

The Front Line Review has seen the Home Office engage directly with officers and staff for more than a year. The department has published everything it has heard from the front line, alongside a package of new measures which aims to transform the support given to them.

This includes plans to work with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to embed wellbeing into the culture of policing through inspecting forces.

Home secretary Sajid Javid said, “Our world-leading police keep us safe in the most challenging of circumstances – so it’s vital we do everything possible to support them in their roles.

“Over the past year we’ve been speaking to officers and listening to their views around how they can make the service they provide even better.

“As a result, we are taking action to reduce their workloads, ensure their wellbeing and give the front line a stronger voice in decision making.”

The Front Line Review was launched by policing minister Nick Hurd and the Police Federation at their headquarters.

Officers from the front line and representatives from the College of Policing, Superintendents’ Association, National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners will also be present.

The minister will also visit forces in Surrey, Wales and Essex to engage with officers directly on the new package of support.

Minister for policing and fire, Nick Hurd, said, “We wanted to hear directly from the front line of policing and the messages were clear.

“The need for more people. The call to stop wasting police time. The desire for more of a say in the decisions that affect the front line. The need for more time and support for both training and wellbeing.

“We have listened and now we are taking action with our partners to make sure police officers, staff and volunteers have the support they need, wherever they serve. This is on top of the increased investment to recruit more officers.”

New guidance will also be issued empowering police to push back against responding to inappropriate requests for attendance, often health or welfare related, and where the police have neither the right skills or powers to respond.

This is designed to make a difference for vulnerable people, giving them the right support from the right agencies, while also freeing up time for the police to focus on tackling crime.

The government has worked closely with the College of Policing, National Police Chiefs Council, the Police Federation, HMICFRS, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and others to see how we can learn from these findings.