Vary your commute to keep yourself safe, officers warned

POLICE officers have been advised to vary their routes to work, alter the locations in which they park and wear ordinary clothes on their commute.

The advice has come from the Police Federation of England and Wales after officers were warned to be extra vigilant about their personal safety. A video posted on the Federation’s website lists a number of ways in which police officers can protect themselves.

Mark Smith, Chairman of Essex Police Federation, said: “Officers need to be aware of the dangers to their own safety.”

Mr Smith added: “I welcome the information coming from Leatherhead and the force. We have a number of officers now who have not been serving during times when they need to be so aware.

“Officers need to follow the advice, make sure police stations are secure and be vigilant at all times for their own safety. There is nothing to say an attack is imminent but everyone needs to be aware and look after themselves.”

Steve White, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, speaking on the video, says: “There are some simple steps that you can take to ensure your safety. Quite simply, vary your route to work, make sure you don’t wear half blues, conceal your identity badges.

“Don’t be predictable, vary your route, where you park. Think who’s watching, who’s listening. Make sure you book on duty, make sure you book off duty. Make sure people know where you are at all times.”

Mr White also said police officers should let their federations or line managers know if officers have any concerns about their personal protective equipment, or level of safety training.

The video accompanies a poster campaign that lists safety advice for officers in police stations. The posters warn: “Wear protective equipment. Think tactical awareness. Do people know where you are? Think of your security when at home too.”

Mr White added: “Officer safety is at the heart of our concerns. It’s why we’re working really hard to ensure you are kept as safe as possible both on and off duty.

“It’s one of the reasons we have recently called for Taser to be available to all frontline uniform response officers who volunteer to carry it.”

In October last year the terrorist threat was raised and Mark Rowley, the national lead for counter-terrorism at the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “The threat level to police officers and staff has been heightened, but we are used to confronting risk and danger; this is what we do on a daily basis, and we are well trained.”

See more here

http://www.polfed.org/campaigning/police_officer_safety.aspx