Police Covenant Consultation Group minutes 21 November 2023
Updated 15 January 2024
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Overview
Following an update and explanation from officials and from the Police Remembrance Trust, the group discussion focussed on the ways the police can recognise the good and outstanding work by officers and staff, the quota of officers nominated for medals and awards and the ways in which individuals who had lost their lives to suicide should be recognised and honoured.
Nominations
It was questioned whether there were specific quotas for police being nominated and awarded Empire Awards. In comparison to the military, it was felt that police forces fall short in the number of nominated officers and staff. It was suggested by some in the group that the police could be too humble and therefore less inclined to seek recognition for their work which they regarded more as “simply doing their job”.
Therefore, it was suggested that senior leaders in forces should be actively seeking to identify more members of their teams to nominate for recognition on a regular basis. This would both show support for their staff and demonstrate public positive recognition for their contributions.
Some suggested that, although the effort the police put into their work is high, the recognition for their efforts remains low. This, it was suggested, could work against overall morale and motivation. Increasing the number of officers being nominated for outstanding contributions would be a motivational factor and would be appreciated by the officer or staff member, their teams and their families.
Response
There is a general public service quota, which includes the police, fire and NHS workers. In total, this quota for all public services including policing per each honours round are: Knighthood/Damehood (2); CBE (10); OBE (24); MBE (56); BEM (75). The quota for the King’s policing medal (KPM) is 36 police and specials being awarded each year. Moreover, 18 KPM allocations are available to police officers and specials constables per each honours round.
It was then noted that feedback from the panel and the Home Office would be beneficial when a citation was declined. This would help the nominator understand what was wrong with the citation drafting so it can be rectified, and the nominee can continue to be considered for an award or medal for their efforts.
Response
Feedback is always provided via the nominating stakeholders (NPCC and HMICFRS).
Response
The Home Office recently ran citation drafting and nomination process workshops for force leads to attend. When the next opportunity to attend these workshops arises, the Home Office will work to advertise the sessions more widely. We have also sent out examples of successful citations to all forces via our nominating stakeholders. If anyone requires templates to be re-sent, please get in touch by contacting the Home Office at policehonours@homeoffice.gov.uk
Medals, awards and memorials
Home Office recommends ‘if in doubt, send in a nomination’ on behalf of any colleagues worthy of a Bravery Award and/or Gallantry Award.
It was questioned about the feasibility of creating an award or medal to recognise officers who had sustained injury from the line of duty and henceforth had to prematurely leaving the police.
Response
The Home Office, while not neither supporting nor rejecting the concept of a medal for injured officers and staff, made clear that the process for creating new medals is a long and complex one. Therefore, progress on a new medal would be unlikely to happen in the short term.
Some wanted to know more information on whether the Humanitarian Medal be available for officers who worked through Covid.
Response
As is normally the case with new medals, this award will not be retrospective. The Royal Warrant as signed by the previous monarch does not include retrospection and therefore will not cover Covid. The medal will instead be issued in a similar manner to military campaign medals, with specific events meeting qualifying criteria. If an individual is eligible, they will be contacted by the relevant department.
It was questioned whether there was scope for the Royal Warrant to be amended and inscribed into Scottish Gaelic, in accordance with Welsh inscriptions currently being available?
Response
The Home Office is happy to consider this if requested by the Scottish Government on behalf of their Gaelic speaking officers. However, in order for the investment in resources to be made, the number of individuals likely to make such a request will need to be considered given the low number of native Scottish Gaelic speakers in policing in England and Wales.
Suicide
The Police Remembrance Trust mentioned that they provide a blue plaque and memorial scroll to the next of kin for those who are listed on the UK Police Roll of Honour. This provision has been in place since the Royal Charter was granted in March 2018. These memorials are currently offered to officers who have lost their lives to suicide where the circumstances meet the criteria for inclusion within the UK Police Roll of Honour. Each individual is assessed on a case by case basis.
Members of the group suggested that more officers have died of suicide than duty related deaths (when compared to the data recorded by the police memorial trust) for the 15 consecutive years up to and including 2019.
Call4Backup highlighted that more attention needs to be paid to data recorded of police suicides. They cited an ONS report which found that between 2011 and 2019, 169 (serving) police officers had died as a result of suicide, which averages to around 21 serving officers per year[footnote 1]. These statistics do not include officers who had resigned or retired from the service due to ill health, Special Constables, or police staff in frontline roles. The group suggested that all of these cohorts should also be recorded.
Green Ribbon Policing suggested police forces representing those who served and have lost their lives because of mental illness could have a memorial in the Station or HQ. Considering the heightened risk officers have of developing mental illness, and the rate of officer suicide, this would act as a sign of respect to them and their families. It would also raise awareness of the importance of mental health wellbeing within policing.
It was noted that the Police Federation are concerned that suicide cases would not qualify for injury benefits paid to survivors compared to cases where the officer dies as a result of an injury received in the execution of their duty. They are looking into changing this. They have raised the issue but are legally required to find a case to evidence this claim in order to make the proposed change to the legislation, which they do not yet have.
The group also discussed why workplaces do not investigate the causes of suicide, which is ultimately a health and safety risk. The group suggested that forces should be looking into the potential causes and being more open to communicating their findings to improve the working experience for all officers, as well as helping provide some closure for loved ones and colleagues of the deceased.
OK/NPWS Suicide hotline
Fears were voiced by some group members who suggested that some police officers were concerned about calling the new Mental Health Crisis Helpline in future, in case their personal information may be shared with their force.
Response
The work is at an early stage of development but the NPWS confirmed after the meeting that the new hotline, which is being created for officers and staff who are experiencing a mental health crisis, follows the approach successfully implemented in the fire and ambulance services. The line will be 24/7 365 days a year and provide not only the initial call but follow up provision if needed – as such, no referrals back to the force are required. There will be the highest level of anonymity for the phoneline to ensure those who reach out for support are assured confidentiality and this will be emphasised in future communications.
Any other business
The group noted that further communication may be required to:
- motivate leaders to recognise the good work of their staff on a more regular basis
- provide more information about the purpose of the suicide helpline
The Police Treatment Centre (PTC) stated that they would welcome a review of the PTC which had been announced at the Police Federation Conference by the previous Home Secretary. It was hoped that this would be as wide ranging as possible and identify any discrepancies and gaps in treatment provision provided by Forces, and highlight how these are then picked up by the PTCs. They hope it will bring wider awareness of all the great work that the treatment centres and other police charities currently provide but also the areas they could improve on, if fully funded with Government grants and support.
Some charities highlighted that they appreciate getting support from the Home Office in funding for memorials but would further appreciate the opportunity for more organisations to be given funding to support the officers who are harmed every day mentally or physically. They noted that medals and awards are important, but it felt that proper health provision for the police was paramount.