Spit guards introduced for all Essex Police officers

ESSEX police officers will be “that little bit safer” as they go out on patrol after the force agreed to roll out spit guards to all cops in the county.

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor said he was delighted the force had considered and listened to the evidence and agreed to include spit guards in personal protective equipment following appropriate training.

“They will be on the belt of ever police officer and this is great news for our colleagues on the frontline,” said Steve. “Being spat at is a vile crime and it is not part of the job. We must protect the protectors and this a piece of protective equipment will provide a safe system to help to achieve this.

“When anybody is spat at there is a risk to their health. No one – police officer or not – should have to go through the anguish that this can cause, when they may, for instance, be advised that they should not be intimate with their family.

“I am really pleased that police officers in Essex will have this vital piece of equipment and be that little bit safer following this decision. At the end of the day if a person doesn’t want to be placed in a spit guard, they shouldn’t be spitting at a police officer.”

Since 2015 Essex Police has recorded 48 cases of officers being spat at.

At last month’s Police Federation of England and Wales Annual Conference, Home Secretary Amber Rudd told delegates she was in favour of spit guards being introduced to officers.

Steve also had praise for Chief Constable Steve Kavanagh in coming to this decision following regular discussion with the Federation. “We asked and the force listened to why spit guards were needed,” he added. “And we must give credit to the Chief Constable for engaging with us, hearing the evidence we presented and working with us on this matter.”

More than half the forces in England and Wales issue spit guards to their officers and the British Transport Police already use them in Essex.