Federation reaction to the Civitas report "The Public and the Police"

30 May 2008

Responding to the report published by Civitas, Paul McKeever, Chairman, Police Federation of England and Wales says;

"What this report highlights are issues the Police Federation has long voiced concerns about, and documented in our 24/7 policing report published last year. Most notably the problems of sanction detections and the dangers of political interference in operational policing.

"Police officers are struggling to bring some common sense to the increased demands of a target driven culture, which is all too often resulting in arrests to boost the statistics we are judged upon, rather than to do what is right for the public. This vicious circle of chasing targets then further alienates us from the majority of law abiding people. Action must be urgently taken to stop the erosion of the independent and impartial Office of Constable by this government, and allow police officers to act with discretion, accountability and the consent of the public we serve."

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