Page 12 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2021-flip_Neat

Protecting officers

Lords to discuss

amendment to proposed

police driver legislation

n amendment to the Police, Crime,
Sentencing and Courts Bill designed
Ato ensure the new legislation does
not leave police drivers at greater risk of
prosecution will be considered by the House
of Lords later this year after failing to be
discussed in the Commons.
Tim Rogers, deputy secretary of West
Midlands Police Federation and national
Federation lead for police pursuits and driver
training, believes that without the
amendment to the bill police drivers will
actually be put at further jeopardy by a
change to the law aimed at offering them
better legal protection.
“We are really grateful for the support
that we have had to date,” says Tim, “Our
campaign for legislative change has been
running for more than eight years now and
we are on the brink of success in terms of
ensuring it is truly fit for purpose but the
wording of the bill has to be amended and
we are hopeful that, with the support of the
Lords, this will be agreed.
“The current wording sets out that
drivers must follow their training at all
times but this could mean more officers are further criminalise officers. We have a The Federation wants a reasonableness
prosecuted since, if they act instinctively number of Lords who are supportive of our defence clause to be added to the bill to give
rather than to the letter of their training, aims. officers flexibility to respond legally to the
they could be found to have breached policy “It is going to be a bitter disappointment matters they encounter on duty.
and procedures which could be deemed to to officers the length and the breadth of the This would take into account what they
be falling below the standard of the careful country if this legislation, so long in the reasonably believe they are responding to,
and competent police driver. making, does not give them the protection the threat that is posed and any departure
“The Government, the Home Office, the they deserve. Too many officers have already from the relevant standard should be
Ministry of Justice, the National Police been dragged through the courts, putting reasonable and proportionate.
Chiefs’ Council and the Independent Office them and their families under untold Tim explains: “Adding this defence will
for Police Conduct have all listened to what pressure, when they have simply been doing ensure we have legislation that is fit for
we have been saying but there is a real risk their jobs, and often putting their own lives purpose. This feels very much like we are
that this new legislation could inadvertently on the line while doing so.” almost over the finishing line in terms of
“ Our campaign for legislative change has been so that police drivers can use their skills and
getting the change to the law that is needed
training when driving police vehicles,
running for more than eight years now and we
fighting crime, dealing with criminals,
are on the brink of success in terms of ensuring it serving and protecting the public.
“Now we just need to ensure that in

tackling the obvious issues caused by
is truly fit for purpose but the wording of the bill judging police officers’ driving by the
standards of your careful and competent
has to be amended and we are hopeful that, with driver, we don’t create a greater risk to police
drivers who, quite naturally, should be able
the support of the Lords, this will be agreed. to react instinctively to what they are faced
with.”

12 federation August/September 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids

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