Police personnel can air their views on how they can best be supported as a ‘wellbeing survey’ launches.

The annual survey, now in its fourth year, gives everyone working in policing an opportunity to have their say.

The Government has fulfilled pledges to recruit 20,000 new officers but forces are reporting major issues with retention due to overwork and stress.

The survey is led by the National Police Wellbeing Service and run by the Policing Research Unit at Durham University and College of Policing.

The survey ends at the end of June.

Andy Rhodes, service director for the National Police Wellbeing Service, also known as Oscar Kilo, said: “We carry out this survey because it is critical that our work is focused on what those working in policing every day are telling us they need. We have had fantastic response rates to previous surveys, and we want to build on that again this year.

“It is vital that we hear from as many people working in policing as possible so at both a national, and local level, we can prioritise the issues which matter the most, and design and develop the right interventions and support that policing needs.

“Each year, we respond directly to the findings from the survey, creating practical support at both and organisational and individual level. In the past, we’ve done this in areas such as trauma, fatigue and physical fitness and so we want every member of the police service to feel reassured that it’s worthwhile taking part and that we will act upon the findings.

“The results will also help shape and inform the work we do on behalf of the Police Covenant which sees us now extending our focus to better support not only officers, staff and volunteers, but their families too – and those who leave the service.”

LATEST UK SECURITY NEWS