Key Facts

• Amendment 77 proposes inserting sections (8A) and (8B) into Clause 1.
• The oversight board must be made up of representatives from the Police Federation, Police Superintendents’ Association, Chief Police Officers Staff Association, UNISON, National Police Chiefs Council, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Home Office, College of Policing, and an independent chair appointed by the Secretary of State.
• Amendment 76 suggests adding clauses to include members of the British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and Ministry of Defence police.
• The College of Policing published a voluntary wellbeing framework for police forces.
• A 2019 police wellbeing survey found that 67.1% of responding officers reported post-traumatic stress symptoms warranting evaluation.
• A Police Federation survey of 18,000 members identified attending traumatic and distressing incidents as one of the top reasons for psychological difficulties at work.
• Only 23% of nearly 70% of respondents to a Police Federation survey sought help for their feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety, and other difficulties.
• The survey shows that 34% of police officers reported poor or very poor support by their service.
• Only 21.8% of line managers with responsibility could remember receiving training on how to support staff health and wellbeing.
• Case studies are provided from retired police officers illustrating traumatic experiences without proper psychological support.
• Assistant Commissioner Hewitt mentioned restricted capacity and long wait times for accessing mental health support.
• Chief Superintendent Griffiths reported a 36% increase in inquiries to police charities related to mental health concerns.
• Police Federation chair John Apter emphasized the need for mandated training and support levels throughout an officer's career.
• Maria Eagle was previously a solicitor assisting traumatised police officers.
• The amendment aims to address trauma in emergency services culture.
• Support for trauma can prevent employment loss and mental health issues.
• Police Federation has campaigned for a covenant for several years.
• Amendment 2 focuses on expanding crucial elements of the covenant.
• Some forces deal with mental health issues extremely well while others do not.
• Sam Smith is an ex-police officer who ran a campaign for better mental health support.
• The main mental health welfare service for police officers is the Oscar Kilo programme, which many argue is not well-spent and underutilized.
• Nearly one in five police officers have symptoms consistent with PTSD according to research from Cambridge University.
• 67.1% of respondents reported post-traumatic stress symptoms warranting an evaluation for PTSD in a national wellbeing survey.
• The number of assaults on police officers has risen to more than 35,000 in the last year.
• The British Transport Police respond to approximately 300 suicides on railways each year.
• Around 40% of British Transport Police are affected by railway suicides annually.
• More than 1,000 staff members experience two or more suicide cases per year.
• East Croydon station experienced a murder case involving gang violence last year.
• The tram crash in Croydon resulted in seven deaths and numerous injuries.
• About one in five British Transport officers and PCSOs are assaulted each year.
• There were 470 assaults on British Transport police officers and community support officers in the previous year.
• New clause 44 emulates part of what the Government have provided for the military in the Armed Forces Bill.
• The Police Covenant is not set out in the Bill but takes the form of a declaration.
• The covenant aims to enhance support for members and former members of the police workforce in England and Wales, including physical protections and family support.
• A frontline review was conducted to invite officers to share ideas for improving policing.
• The covenant covers former members of the police force.
• Initial priorities include embedding occupational health standards in all forces.
• Pre-deployment mental health support will be developed.
• The police covenant governance structure aims to prioritise issues relevant to the police workforce each year.
• The oversight board will comprise key representatives from across policing but will be chaired by the Minister for Policing.
• The Home Secretary must lay a report before Parliament annually, ensuring accountability.
• Clause 2 deals with increasing penalties for assault on emergency workers.
• The discussion involves deciding whether to proceed with voting on amendments and clauses in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
• Clause 2 increases the maximum penalty for common assault or battery against an emergency worker from 12 months to two years’ imprisonment.
• The clause delivers a manifesto commitment made by the government.
• Emergency workers covered include police constables, National Crime Agency officers, prison and custody officers, fire, rescue and search personnel, and those providing NHS services.
• Approximately 10,000 cases were successfully prosecuted and sentenced under existing legislation.
• During the covid pandemic, there was a 31% increase in attacks on frontline emergency service workers compared with 2019.
• Attacks on frontline police officers have increased by 50% over the last five years.
• In 2019, over 11,250 cases of assault on an emergency worker were proceeded against, and around 9,050 resulted in a sentence.
• Government is willing to listen and reflect based on evidence and public appetite.
• The 2018 Act recognized frontline emergency workers as unique due to direct exposure to harm.
• In 2019, only 6% of sentences for common assault on an emergency worker were for six months or more.
• In 2020, this figure increased to 15%.
• The Sentencing Council guidelines are expected to be published in the near future.
• Special constables have a long history of contributing to policing communities.
• There were 9,126 special constables in England and Wales in September 2020, a drop of more than 15% from 2012 levels.
• A survey found that 94% of respondents who were specials wanted to join the Police Federation.
• In Scotland, police specials have been part of the Scottish Police Federation since its inception without legal barriers or controversy.
• The cost for specials' membership in the Police Federation is estimated at £3 million, potentially rising to £6-7 million if numbers increase.