Party promises: It’s great to see policing moving towards the centre of political discussion

THE General Election has thrust police issues back on the agenda, which must be good news for officers, according to Essex Police Federation.

Pre-polling promises have been made by all parties, with Labour pledging to increase police and public sector pay by 5% from April 2020 while the Conservatives say they will increase sentences for people who assault officers and enact police driver protection legislation.

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor says he’s pleased politicians are talking about the problems facing officers and the service.

“It’s really encouraging that policing is moving once again towards the centre of political discussion,” he said.

“It’s important and I think it’s as a consequence of austerity and how policing across the country has suffered, like other public services, but more acutely.”

The public and politicians have started to notice that officers are suffering on the frontline, Steve believes.

“I think that’s been noticed, so I welcome politicians looking to put policing issues in the centre of their manifestos, and we look forward to the Government, of whatever persuasion they may be, holding them to account and looking for them to follow through on those manifesto promises.”