Latest news

First at the door: how response officers are the 'backbone' of policing

This week is the first Response Policing Week, a new national initiative to recognise and celebrate the work of response officers across the UK. Sometimes thought of as the 'poor relations' of policing, forces would collapse without them and the vast range of skills they bring to the job.  Response… If you call us, we're the ones who come. Meet the Metropolitan Police's response officers who are helping the city's most vulnerable people 24/7...

Response officers are the GPs of policing and need support

A week-long campaign to support officers dealing with the majority of 999 incidents has begun with a call for forces to change their perception of the people doing the job. Deputy Chief Constable for Merseyside, Serena Kennedy, said response officers need to be re-evaluated by colleagues and seen as multi-specialists… Response officers are the GPs of policing and forces need to enhance their support and reputation, says their national lead....

Wellbeing takes priority for officers frazzled by COVID-19 response

A year of dealing with the impact of COVID-19 has left frazzled response officers and staff needing support with wellbeing. Forces across the country are stepping up initiatives including online resources to encourage officers to deal with issues like fatigue and find new ways to keep resilient. The National Police… Sleep advice, podcasts and even therapy dogs are being used in an NPCC campaign to highlight the wellbeing of response officers....

College urges frontline staff to consider research projects

The College of Policing has launched its sixth annual bursary scheme to enable officers considering further studies to access financial help. The launch coincided with International Women’s Day which included concerns being raised about the hurdles female officers have to overcome in order to achieve promotion. The scheme, which since… Officers struggling to balance finance commitments and promotion have been urged to apply for a bursary....

Merseyside PCC announces preferred candidate for next chief

DCC Kennedy will replace the current Chief Constable, Andy Cooke QPM, when he leaves the role next month to join Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. DCC Kennedy, who joined from Cheshire Constabulary to Merseyside Police in 2017 as Assistant Chief Constable, will now go before… Merseyside’s PCC Jane Kennedy has today (8 March) announced the current Deputy Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, is her preferred choice to be the next Chief Constable of Merseyside Police....