Page 8 - Federation Magazine: April/May 2018

Campaign continues

Federation frustration

at 11th hour delay

with pursuits bill

n 11th hour delay with a new bill emergency response drivers to do in the bring forward meetings with policing
that aims to protect emergency meantime? How many more lives could be minister Nick Hurd.
Aresponse drivers is a ‘bitter ruined going through lengthy legal The minister had originally supported
disappointment’ and ‘further extends the proceedings – ultimately criminalising the bill when it was introduced in December
threat of prosecution to our members’, officers for just doing their job? but this week.
according to Tim Rogers, deputy secretary of “We have fought extremely hard for At the Police Federation’s national
West Midlands Police Federation. more than seven years to get to this point, conference in May last year, Chief Constable
Tim is the national Police Federation’s liaising with the Home Office, National Anthony Bangham, National Police Chiefs’
lead on pursuits and has led a campaign Police Chiefs’ Council, MPs from all parties Council (NPCC) lead for roads policing, gave a
calling for a change to legislation to reflect and many, many other stakeholders. We firm commitment to working with the
the advanced driving skills of emergency finally thought the end was in sight, with a Federation to ensure police drivers get the
response drivers. workable solution which would help protect best training and agreed that pursuit drivers
He spoke of his frustration on learning our 120,000 plus members from prosecution needed better protection after the
that the expected second reading of the for just doing their jobs, only to have it Federation’s campaign.
Emergency Response Drivers (Protections) snatched from us at the last minute. The policing minister outlined a review
Bill due to be discussed in Parliament on “The Government says it ‘remains and Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the
Friday 16 March had been stalled. The bill, broadly supportive of the intention behind NPCC in November: “We’re reviewing the law
which had been put forward by Sir Henry the Private Members Bill’ and we know a and practice regarding police pursuits. We
Bellingham, MP for Norfolk, won cross-party review is ongoing. want to make sure officers feel they have the
support when it came before MPs before “But this news will be a bitter blow to legal protection they need to go after moped
Christmas. our specially-trained police drivers and the and scooter gangs.”
But the Government has called a halt to other emergency services who will now face Summing up his frustration, Tim said:
the process until an ongoing review ‘into the an indefinite period continuing to run the “The minister has agreed that we need
law and best practice regarding police risk of possibly losing their jobs if they appropriate changes to reflect driver
pursuits’ was complete. respond to a ‘blue-light’ call.” training in law and he went further in
Tim explained: “To get this disappointing He added: “The Federation will also now instructing the policing powers section of
news just hours away from a key legislative have to consider its position and what the Home Office to make the necessary
milestone, which had already secured advice to issue to members.” changes in further recognition of this. This
cross-party support, is a bitter blow – and all Tim vowed the Federation would fight makes the position we find ourselves in now
the more devastating. on, calling for the Government to ‘put its all the more upsetting and baffling.”
“What are our members and fellow money where its mouth is’ and seeking to

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