Welfare Support Programme ‘Worth Every Penny’

ESSEX Police Federation says the PFEW’s Welfare Support Programme is ‘worth every penny’ after new data shows it has helped more than 20,000 officers and prevented five suicides since it began in 2012.

Officers are referred to the WSP programme through the Federation when facing the “most serious consequences of policing” – being suspended from duty, facing gross misconduct and considered to be at risk or vulnerable.

WSP counsellors will proactively call officers, as well as being there 24/7 should officers get in touch with them directly.

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor said: “The Federation pays towards that Welfare Support Programme and it’s worth every penny.

“Officers – and having been there myself I know – face very, very dark times when losing their job or faced with the prospect of losing their job, or if they face custodial sentences.

“Organisationally it’s easy to forget people. Organisationally it’s easy for requests for help to go unanswered or unnoticed. The Welfare Support Programme offers a safety net for those who slip through what should always be the force’s responsibility to look after the welfare of their employees, their officers.”

The programme is coupled with great support officers in Essex receive, Steve added.

He explained: “In Essex, I think we’re in a stronger position than most in as much as we’ve got a progressive, hard-working, if not small, occupational health department.

“The Welfare Support Programme augments that very nicely so long may it continue.”