Page 7 - WMPF Federation April-May2021_Neat

Policing the

pandemic: chair’s

praise for officers

he chair of West Midlands Police He said: “Officers have adapted “This has made it really difficult to keep
Federation has praised officers for fantastically to all the changes and up with and, at times, confusing as there
Tthe way they’ve adapted to the continued to provide a service to the have been so many changes and even
pandemic over the last 12 months. public. different restrictions in different parts of
But Jon Nott fears the crisis could have “There have been more than 60 the Force when we have had the tiers.”
a long-term impact on the mental health changes to legislation in the last 12 But Jon said that even though people
of both those who have been shielding or months that officers have had to adapt to have adapted, he fears for the mental
working from home, and those who have and police. health impact of the pandemic.
been office or station-based. “For those at home it’s been a long
Jon was giving his reflection on the 12 year,” Jon said, “With very little human
months since the first coronavirus There have interaction or change of scenery this could
lockdown was imposed, and applauded have a long-term effect on their mental
members’ ability to adjust to the changes been more than wellbeing.
in rules and regulations. “For those officers who have remained
60 changes to
legislation in the Continued overleaf
last 12 months that

officers have had to
adapt to and
police.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation April/May 2021 07