Response Policing Week 2023

Police leaders, charities and forces are celebrating the hard work, dedication, and bravery of those who respond to calls from the public and confront criminals during the third national Response Policing ‘Week of Action’ (26 June – 2 July)

To mark the week of activities, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), College of Policing and national police wellbeing service Oscar Kilo have organised a series of events which are open to all who work in, or have an interest in response policing. The week of action is also being fully supported by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the staff association for police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.

Introducing the online events, Deputy Chief Constable Rob Carden, NPCC lead for response policing, will welcome the audience, and discuss the state of response policing. These will also include a focus on the ongoing review of the Code of Ethics by Detective Superintendent Marcus Griffiths of the College of Policing.

Other sessions include one on Oscar Kilo’s nutrition for wellbeing programme to support response shift workers, and another focussing on the National Talent Development Strategy (NTDS) and Fast track development programmes.

The Samaritans will deliver a session where participants can learn how to recognise the signs someone may be vulnerable and how to support them.

Forces will also have local initiatives to recognise this key policing role and these include events in:

• Cumbria: Officers will have access to an Oscar Kilo wellbeing van, response policing officers will be posting on the force’s local accounts, and senior officers including the DCC will be joining response officers
• Merseyside: The Neighbourhood Policing Team will patrol with response officers to learn about the role, and officers between 18-39-year-old have given access to physio and cardiac screening through the Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation
• Staffordshire: Special HR drop-in sessions and online mental health and wellbeing sessions have been organised

NPCC lead for Response Policing, Deputy Chief Constable Rob Carden said:

“This is an opportunity for police forces to highlight the vital role response officers play in protecting the public and keeping communities safe and for forces, leaders, and practitioners to put the spotlight on a key role that typically sits at the gateway to policing.

“Officers in response teams never know what situations they will be faced with when they come into work each day. They must be prepared to deal with a wide range of incidents, with no two days being the same.

“Those in these roles come from many different backgrounds and work in a variety of environments. The week will seek to raise awareness of this important area of policing.”

Andy Marsh, College of Policing CEO, said:

“When the public are in danger it is often a response officer who is the first on scene to help. They face uncertainty and danger on a daily basis, and this week of action is a way for the whole service to recognise their essential job.

“Officers should look out this week for the practical advice and guidance we have in place to support them, and how they can support their colleagues.

“The wider policing family are exceptionally proud of the work response officers do in challenging circumstances to keep the public safe.”

Service Director of Oscar Kilo, The National Police Wellbeing Service, Andy Rhodes, said:

“Response officers work in incredibly demanding roles. We understand and recognise that, and that’s why we’re prioritising work around trauma, assaults, sleep fatigue and recovery.

“We’re providing forces with resources to support frontline and response staff with our outreach vans, wellbeing dogs, peer support and online resources - all of which can be used at any time to ensure support is made available and accessible, outside of 9-5.

“We’ve also have made our National Police Wellbeing Survey available to all forces, to give all officers, staff and volunteers the chance to tell us how they truly feel at work. This will be open until June 30.”

PFEW National Chair, Steve Hartshorn said:

“The first impressions many people have of response police officers are the uniformed officers in high-viz jackets or body armour arriving to deal with a call, set against a background of blue lights and two-tone sirens.

“These officers arrive at call ready to deal with anything, from a shoplifter to a murder, a road traffic collision to a terrorist incident, or even a collapse in the street or supporting other emergency services. It’s vital these officers are recognised and valued for their skill set in dealing with the many challenges they face.

“PFEW is proud to be their voice and seeks to support them in everything we do.”