Page 5 - WMPF Federation Magazine February / March 2018

the Police Federation in raising awareness wellbeing.
of the growing number of assaults on I would also remind officers that for a IN NUMBERS:
police officers, police staff and other donation of just £1.70 per week you can
emergency service workers. access all the facilities of Flint House, the
Physical injuries are, of course, much dedicated police rehabilitation centre in
easier for people to relate to but I am south Oxfordshire. £40,000
pleased that there is now open dialogue Flint House has long been recognised
on mental health issues. The stigma as the place to go if you are recovering The fund-raising appeal target for an
surrounding mental health is slowly being from a physical injury; it’s intensive operation for Millie Bea Hughes. The
tackled and we have a number of brave physiotherapy programmes have enabled former West Midlands Police officer’s
officers, who have talked publicly about hundreds of officers to literally get back daughter has now had the life-changing
their own experiences to thank for that. on their feet and back on the beat. operation which will enable her to walk
Slowly, but surely, the message is But it also offers a comprehensive
getting through and the Federation is now mental health and wellbeing programme
working on a new ‘pledge’ on mental that can enable officers to cope with the
health which it is hoped will be adopted stresses and strains of the job. 857
by forces in the same way that the I find it incredible that just 20 per cent
assaults pledge has been. of our officers have signed up to Flint The number of officers to have registered
But it’s not just about the Force doing House, that is the lowest rate in the for support from the Police Federation
its bit to support officers experiencing country. and Police Firearms Officers’ Association
mental, and physical, health problems. I I am not sure what else you could get Welfare Support Programme
think we all have a duty to look after for £1.70 per week – it’s 5p less than the
ourselves too. price of a cup of tea in one of the leading
There are now a number of support High Street coffee chains, and more than 80
services available to police officers. What £1 less than most of their small cups of
might suit one officer, might not suit coffee! Percentage of people in an HMICFRS
another, so if you feel you do need some So, I would ask all officers to give some survey who said it was important to have
extra support please do not be put off if consideration to prioritising their own a regular uniformed police presence
your initial contact does not fit the bill. physical and mental wellbeing during
If you feel you are buckling under the 2018. Of course, it fits nicely into the ‘new
pressures of modern day policing – or if year, new me’ theme that everyone seems
you are concerned for a colleague – please to foster during the early weeks of any 73
do not hesitate to get in touch with your new year but I hope that this is one Percentage of officers who reported
Federation workplace representative or resolution that we might all be able to having been single crewed often or
the Federation office at Guardians House. stick to.
We can help you find the support you And this takes me right back to my always in the preceding 12 months in a
need be that through the Force’s B-Well original comments in terms of change new survey
initiative, Mind’s Blue Light Programme or being good of policing, for the good of the
the Federation and Police Firearms public or for the good of the police
Officers’ Association Welfare Support constable. 50
Programme. All of these initiatives are Officer welfare ticks all those boxes.
working with police and emergency But, I would also add, that it is also for the The number of years Lol Ellison has
service workers daily and could be just good of the officer’s family, friends and served West Midlands Police, first as an
loved ones.
officer and then as a member of police
what you need to help restore your
“ Physical injuries are, of course, much Percentage of officers who had been the
staff

44
easier for people to relate to but I am
pleased that there is now open
victim of an unarmed physical attack at
dialogue on mental health issues.
least once per month over the previous
year in a new survey
The stigma surrounding mental
health is slowly being tackled and we 24

The number of officials who will be
have talked publicly about their own elected on to the new Police Federation
of England and Wales National Board
experiences to thank for that. under the new regulations.

www.westmidspolfed.com federation February/March 2018 05

have a number of brave officers, who “