Any change to public order tactics must also ensure police officers’ safety

07 July 2009

 

Responding to the publication today of the HMIC Report ‘Adapting to protest’ Paul McKeever, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says:

“Following the sustained and one-sided criticism from the media and some politicians which surrounded the successful G20 policing operation we welcomed the opportunity for the HMIC to independently examine all processes and tactics to ensure that public order training and deployment is fit for purpose, fair and proportionate. We are grateful that the Chief HMIC, Denis O’Connor called us to give evidence and today’s interim report makes a number of initial recommendations which need to be addressed. We trust that any change to public order training or tactics will be in consultation with us and that thorough and sufficient training will be given to ensure officers’ safety on the frontline.

“Mr O’Connor is right to highlight the merit of containment as a tactic to reduce public disorder and raises a number of issues to be explored which could assist the policing operation without hindering the rights of peaceful protestors or those who inadvertently find themselves in a contained area. We will continue to work with Mr O’Connor and the HMIC to ensure that the full report, to be delivered in autumn, not only offers practical recommendations but also addresses the training needed and equipment necessary to ensure that police officers can do their duty confidently and safely.”

 

Click here to download in PDF format