Page 21 - WMPF Federation FebMar2021-Hi_Neat

INFOGRAPHIC

(26 per cent) said they believed
they had contracted coronavirus
with 45 per cent saying they Who responded?
believed they contracted it 421 responses were received from West Midlands Police, representing a 6% response rate.
through work-related activities. Gender
But in the West Midlands, only Rank
three per cent of respondents said
77% of responses were from Constables
they have had a positive antigen
or antibody test – while 26 per 15% of responses were from Sergeants
cent believed they had contracted 28% 65%
the virus either based on strong of responses were received of responses were received 7% of responses were from Inspectors
personal suspicion or medical from female officers from male officers 1% of responses were from Chief inspectors

advice.
The weaponising of the
Covid-19 virus against police
officers was revealed to be an
emerging threat to health and Key Findings
welfare nationally. Almost one in
three (32 per cent) of all
respondents reported a member 63% of respondents said their workload of respondents said there weren't
was too high or much too high 83%
enough officers in their team/unit to
of the public who was believed do the job properly
to carry the virus had purposely
threatened to breathe or cough of respondents said that they were of respondents were in disagreement
on them, while nearly a quarter 42% very or extremely concerned over 34% that they have all the equipment they
having adequate access to COVID-19
(24 per cent) said someone had testing personally need to protect them from
COVID-19 whilst at work
actually done so.
Over half (55 per cent) had
been the victim of an unarmed
physical attack over the
previous 12 months, and this
figure increased to 83 per cent
when only examining 37% 68% 77% 33%

responses from officers reported never or indicated that their had experienced feelings of

working in response, rarely being able to overall health was stress, low mood, anxiety, reported that their job

take their full rest or other difficulties with was very or extremely
neighbourhood policing, break entitlement good or very good their mental health and stressful
custody and roads. wellbeing over the last 12
months
Officers felt undervalued
for the dangerous work they
do, and high levels of fatigue
and occupational stress were DC&W Survey West Research and Policy Support
found in the survey to be Midlands Police Natalie Wellington R042/2021
commonplace.
John Apter, national chair of the 5
Federation, said: “This survey clearly shows
the huge pressure officers are under policing pressures that go with it, police officers are “The results of this survey have come
the pandemic and the negative impact on also human beings who are looking after directly from our members - those police
their welfare, with half of the respondents kids, poorly relatives, and have the same officers who are on the frontline dealing
saying they have been physically attacked stresses as everyone else. This survey shows with whatever society throws at them. The
and one in three having been threatened by the harsh reality of policing during a period increasing level of violence they face,
someone claiming to have Covid. when police officers have simply done the especially involving the ‘weaponising’ of the
“As well as having an incredibly best they could to help and protect the virus, is a sad indictment of the society we
challenging and demanding job and all the public. live in.
“Government must hear them; they
must be given all the protection they need
Force level figures for breaks, 2016 2018 2020
rest days annd annual leave to protect themselves and this includes
being prioritised for the Covid vaccine. We
Reported being never or rarely able to take 49% 48% 37% have had enough of the warm words - we
full rest break entitlement now need action.”
The biennial survey forms part of PFEW’s
Reported having two or more rest submission to the Police Remuneration
days cancelled in the previous 12 months 75% 77% 47% Review Body, the non-departmental public
Reported having a request for annual leave 89% 78% 70% body which provides advice to the
refused once or more in the previous Government on pay and conditions for police
12 months officers at or below the rank of chief
superintendent.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation February/March 2021 21