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‘What matters most’:

officers give their views of

Federation support

The panel session ‘What matters most’ (left to right) Mick Johnson, James Holden, Federation vice-chair Ché Donald and Zoe Bradstreet.
hree officers who had received accused of something you hadn’t done. he ended up with a relatively minor
excellent support from the This was also picked up on by James physical injury but a massive impact on his
TFederation gave an insight into how Holden, a Hampshire response driver, who mental health.
the organisation makes a difference to its was prosecuted for dangerous driving after Repeated exposure to traumatic
members in a centenary event session what he felt was an ‘uneventful pursuit’ incidents meant that around 20 per cent
called ‘What matters most’. involving an offender with 150 convictions. of officers are thought to be suffering
Custody Sergeant Zoe Bradstreet from His Fed rep was the now national chair from PTSD and this is why the Federation,
Surrey Police explained how the Federation John Apter. Ché said, believed there should be a
was continuing to provide support during a “I can’t thank John enough,” said wraparound welfare provision for all
four and a half year – and ongoing – case James, who is now a Fed rep himself on the officers, something that had been
involving a death in custody. Isle of Wight. developed over the last 10 years through
On Day 1, she said, the Federation was Acquitted at court after an eight-day mental health support programmes, for
there for her, offering her a comfort blanket trial, he said the build-up to the hearing example, at the Flint House rehabilitation
and virtual hug. Crucially, Zoe explained, really took its toll on his mental health and centre and the Welfare Support
the Federation could see the signs of stress that of his wife, also a serving police Programme.
within her and the impact the case was officer. He also called on officers to support
having on her husband and her children, Ché told the audience that while it was each other, by asking colleagues if they are
pointing her towards counselling which had right for there to be inquiries to find out OK and encouraging them to talk about
helped give her strategies to cope. The what has happened, particularly in relation how they are feeling but urged forces to
Federation, Zoe added, had become like to the loss of life, it shouldn’t be a witch- invest in preventative tools rather than
family to her, providing support 24 hours a hunt and nor should it be assumed that reacting when someone has a mental
day when she needed it. someone has done something wrong health crisis.
Ché Donald, vice-chair of the Federation, rather than it being appropriate police Some forces were talking the talk, he
said the impact of such cases on individual action in dangerous situations. Inquiries said, but not walking the walk with
officers was phenomenal with many being into officers were often taking longer than policies in place but no evidence of what
made to feel like criminals when they were murder investigations. they were actually doing. The Police
just doing their jobs. The psychological Mick Johnson, a Cleveland officer with Covenant could help to ensure there is not
impact could last a long time, he explained, 28 years’ service, explained how he was a postcode lottery in terms of the support
with there being nothing worse than being treated for PTSD after an incident in which available to officers.
Feature continued on Page 20
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