We must face shortcomings… but there is SO much good in our police, writes Home Secretary PRITI PATEL
This week I’ve seen the very best of the police. I attended the first anniversary of the dedication of the British Police Memorial in Staffordshire.
Talking to the loved ones of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice was deeply moving.
Everyone who wears the uniform is a human being cherished by others. That’s why the Police Covenant – our promise to better help police officers and their families – is so important.
The police are a family themselves. I met some new members at a fainting parade in Hertfordshire. It is very reassuring that people are stepping forward to serve their communities, the Crown and our country.
Meeting the highest standards starts with the right foundation. As Minister of the Interior, I have ensured that the police have the necessary resources and powers to do just that.
The devoted service of the majority is less newsworthy than the abominable behavior of a minority. Public confidence in the police is vital. I have launched a major investigation into the horrific murder of Sarah Everard by an on-duty police officer who will also consider other cases of police misconduct. We must face all shortcomings.
Meeting the highest standards starts with the right foundation. As Minister of the Interior, I have ensured that the police have the necessary resources and powers to do just that.
Under my unprecedented recruiting drive, we have 13,790 additional officers and are well on our way to 20,000. I fought for and won a record £17 billion in investment in police forces, supporting such successes as Violence Reduction Units and the Safer Streets Fund.
Officers are better protected and have more powers, for example by expanding stop and search operations and having special agents carry tasers.
The Police Covenant – our promise to better help police officers and their families – is so important. The police are a family themselves.
The priorities of the police must be the priorities of the people. The government’s Beating Crime Plan has a relentless focus on reducing serious violence, murder and neighborhood crime. We now have the first national police chief on violence against women and girls, Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth.
I made it crystal clear to the police chiefs that they should visit the crime scene and talk to victims. Burglary is a particularly destructive crime and I work closely with police leaders, violence against violence, to make sure this happens.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson has promised his officers will be present at any break-in. Some other forces do the same, but the public will feel that all forces must.
Illegal drugs kill more people every year than all knife crime and traffic accidents combined. Supported by the Home Office’s County Lines program, police forces have closed more than 2,400 county lines since November 2019, made more than 8,000 arrests and protected more than 9,500 vulnerable people.
Meanwhile, the law of public order will help police fight the guerrilla tactics of protesters.
Police officers do not participate to investigate rude posts on social media. They want to make our streets, homes and public spaces safer – and I fully support them.