Dame Diana Johnson
‘Actions speak louder than words’ says the chair of Cambridgeshire Police Federation, as she responds to the policing minister’s latest pledge to ‘fully support’ officers.
Liz Groom has called on Dame Diana Johnson to take tangible action to better support and protect police officers.
Her comments come after the policing minister addressed the audience at this year’s Superintendents’ Association Conference, in which she ended her speech with, ‘we will always support you’.
“Time and time again, we hear members of the Government throwing their support behind policing, yet just a few weeks ago, it was announced that officers would receive a 4.75 per cent pay rise – while junior doctors will be given 22 per cent,” said Liz.
“While supportive comments are welcome, these continuous speeches made by both Dame Diana and the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper must be backed by decisive action.
“Our officers are putting their lives on the line every single day, and they need more than sympathetic statements – they need protection, support and better pay.
“If the Government are serious about re-building relationships with the police, they need to move beyond words and deliver meaningful change.”
In her speech, made to conference attendees on Tuesday (10 September), Dame Diana referred specifically to the latest figures that revealed there were 45,907 offences of assaults on policing officers in the year ending March 2024.
She said: “I’m appalled that new figures revealed today show that assaults on our women and men in uniform are still far too high.
“Even preceding the violent disorder of this summer – assaults on police officers are up, with a quarter of those incidents resulting in injury.
“The Home Secretary was right to call this a ‘stain on our society’ and to say that it will not be tolerated.
“So, we recognise your service and your sacrifice.
“Whether it’s responding to violent disorder, running towards danger, attending emergencies or investigating serious crimes, we know that the heroic daily work of the police exerts a huge strain on officers and their families.
“That’s why we will always support you, as you support your teams to serve our communities.”
Reacting to the policing minister’s comments, Liz issued a strong message urging the Government to take action.
“The policing minister’s statement that assaults on police are ‘a stain on society’ and cannot be tolerated is one we fully agree with. In Cambridgeshire, 548 officers were assaulted last year, and that is not acceptable.
“We’re told that the Government will always support us, but many officers – unsurprisingly – feel that these promises of support have yet to materialise.
“Our officers are not statistics. They are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and friends who are being attacked in the line of duty. They deserve to feel valued and respected. And they deserve the right to do their jobs without fear of violence.”
Liz ended by confirming that Cambridgeshire Police Federation stands ready to work with the Government, lawmakers, and policing leadership to ensure that police officers receive the protection they deserve.
She said: “It is time for the Government to act decisively to protect the brave men and women who protect our communities.”