The Welfare Support Programme is a ‘fantastic service’ and Essex Police federation fully supports it

EXTRA spending on the PFEW’s Welfare Support Programme is putting money directly where it’s needed, protecting officers at the sharp end of policing.

That’s the view of Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor who says the programme, which has helped 20,000 officers and prevented six suicides since 2012, is doing some fantastic work.

“We welcome the increase in the funding, allowing them to make more of their services available to more of our members. It’s a fantastic little programme that does good work,” he said.

“It works in an area of mental health that we absolutely need to bring into the light and out of the shadows, and this is putting money where our mouth is and supporting that.

“It gets our full-throated support.”

Arguments remain whether the programme should be funded by central Government rather than ultimately being paid for out of officers’ PFEW subscriptions.

But for Steve, it’s just a case of getting the right support to the people who need it most; however it’s paid for.

“It’s needed, more importantly. The rights and the wrongs as to who’s funding it are secondary issues,” he said

“We’re in a position to provide it so let’s get it provided.

“With all the most valuable things in life, if it’s worth doing then who better to do it than yourself? Then you’ve got control over how it’s done and the level it’s done to.

“Our forces are not allowed to devolve themselves from the welfare of their officers. Equally, our officers are balancing a whole host of other issues. This could be one of those issues which we highlight the way and the others look to follow.

“So, let’s keep doing what we’re doing and build on and improve and increase the provision later on, down the line.”