Police and justice delegates stress frontline pandemic role

As delegates at police and justice conference came together in the flesh again for the first non-virtual UNISON conference since the start of the pandemic, there was an almost ferocious determination to make sure that they got through every bit of business on a packed agenda. Opening this morning in Brighton, with social distancing, face coverings, hand sanitiser and COVID passports all in evidence as the UK’s level of cases remains stubbornly high, delegates were keen to stress how members across the service group had gone out of their way to play their part in keeping communities safe during the crisis. But there was a clear feeling that many of the wider population – together with politicians and media – do not understand what police support staff do or value them accordingly. As Christopher Charles from Hampshire and Isle of Wight put it, police and justice staff were not being applauded on doorsteps. Yet during the pandemic, nobody questioned the commitment of those in the sector, as they faced, “the most challenging times most of us have seen and hope ever to see”. But the 0% pay offer the sector is facing showed that it was “not recognised”. He cited control room colleagues as being “most disappointed with being considered non-operational”. Ultimately, “no matter what role we perform or serve as police staff, we do serve”. Karen Pearl from Lancashire picked up the theme. Control room staff, she said, “supported members of the public who are thre...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2021 Police and Justice Conference Source Type: news