Home Secretary must work with police, not bully us

THE Chairman of Essex Police Federation has called on new Home Secretary Amber Rudd to work with the police service rather than use “demanding and bullying” tactics.

Essex Chairman Mark Smith said he hoped that Ms Rudd would show tangible recognition for the hard work carried out by police officers.

“I’d like to see her working with forces and police officers rather than imposing and demanding and bullying,” he said.

Mr Smith (pictured) acknowledged that Ms Rudd was unlikely to “put all the money back into policing” but said it was time for the Home Secretary to work together with the police rather than “imposing” things on them.

Ms Rudd was put in charge of the Home Office on Wednesday 13 July by new Prime Minister Theresa May, and attended the Police Bravery Awards in London the following day.

Mr Smith said it was a “good first official engagement” for the Home Secretary as she was able to “see what the police actually do”.

He added: “I hope it’s opened her eyes to see that we’re on duty 24/7, as a lot of the bravery nominations were for courageous acts by officers off duty.”

The Chairman said the main thing that officers would like to see from Ms Rudd is recognition of what they do.

He explained: “It’s not going to happen this year, but I think members would like to see a pay rise in line with inflation. We have been pretty much at a standstill with 1% pay rises. In fact we have actually lost money, so I think the officers would like to receive some recognition – recognition of the hours we work, of how we serve the public.”

Mr Smith added that it was “all very good having a soundbite saying, ‘You are the best police service in the world’. Well let’s see some actions and hear some things from her to back that up.”