Essex ‘In A Strong Place’ On Coronavirus

ESSEX Police officers are coping ‘as best they can’ as they battle the challenges presented to them by COVID-19.

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor said there has been some positive news in amongst the issues thrown up by the pandemic, adding that officers were doing an ‘amazing’ job.

He said: “We’re in as strong a place as we can be and absences away from the workplace are getting better every day, so that’s a positive.

“Challenges remain around the levels of PPE and consistent advice about its use, but the guidance on how to deal with change in legislation, that’s all gone down well.

“Essex has got the balance right. I think we’re in as strong a place as we can be.”

However, Steve acknowledged that there are still issues with having enough PPE but said officers are doing the best they can with what they have.

He said: “We’re doing the best we can. We don’t have enough of everything that we want. There are things that we struggle to get hold of, but this isn’t unique to Essex.

“We’re trying to do the best with what we have. We’re meeting the low standard of PPE that’s been set by Public Health England and we’d like to do more, but resources don’t allow it.

“Officers are doing an amazing job – they have been brilliant and shown great resilience.”

Essex Police Federation has produced health and welfare guidance for officers having to self-isolate, while online resources have been made available by the force.

Steve explained: “There is a welfare pack and a pack for those that are self-isolating.

“These have been shared to the members, and the force has got an online hub with a dial-in service for online and telephone counselling. It’s been well received.

“The Benevolent Fund is available and has been used for officers in financial difficulties, perhaps if their partners have been furloughed or they’re self-employed.

“All the elements are there and appear to be working well together.

“Officers should contact work-based Reps who can signpost where they need to go. There are online COVID-19 pages and a virtual human resources hub too.”