Response policing in spotlight as week of action begins

The fantastic work that Response officers do every single day is set to be celebrated during a national week of action.

Derbyshire Constabulary, alongside police forces across the country, will be highlighting and celebrating the successes of their Response police officers this coming week, commencing Monday 13 June.  

This is the second National Response Policing ‘Week of Action’, driven by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which, in addition to celebrating the professionalism and courage of Response Officers, is also an opportunity to recognise the challenges they face and consider the future development of a key role within policing.

Officers in response teams never know what situations they’ll be faced with when they come into work each day. They have to be prepared to deal with a wide range of incidents, including complex and sometimes confrontational situations. No two days are the same, and officers in these roles come from many different backgrounds and work in a variety of environments.

Throughout this week, the work of Derbyshire response officers will be highlighted with a day-in-the-life style video. Chief and senior officers will also be visiting stations across the county and spending time with teams, and officers will also be receiving a number of items which could help with various aspects of wellbeing. 

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter, of Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “It is so important that we recognise the hard work and dedication of our Response officers, and whilst this week is a great opportunity to showcase the role and highlight the challenges, we want them to know they are valued every single day.

“The role is the bread and butter of policing. At a moment’s notice, Response officers attend a wide variety of incidents across the county, ranging from minor to some of the most serious, and of course these can have varying impacts.

“This is an important opportunity for us to highlight both the incredible and challenging role that Response policing can be, but also make clear the importance of looking after those who protect the county.

“Derbyshire is home to a fantastic set of Response policing officers who do an amazing job, and it is fantastic that the role is being celebrated nationally. The hard work is certainly worthy of this recognition and we hope the activity during and, indeed, beyond this week, reminds them of how incredible they are.”

The NPCC has worked with Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), the College of Policing and the Police Federation, to deliver a range of initiatives, co-ordinated specifically to support, develop and recognise the role of Response Officers.

Wellbeing vans and dogs will be deployed across the UK, along with a series of Oscar Kilo webinars around sleep, fatigue and resilience.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Response Policing, Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “The Response Week of Action provides an opportunity for all forces to highlight the vital role that Response Officers play in protecting the public and keeping communities safe.

“In addition to celebrating the professionalism and courage of Response Officers, it is also an opportunity to recognise the challenges they face and consider the development of a key role that sits at the heart of policing.

“This week is an opportunity to put a spotlight on police officers who are often the youngest in service, the first to respond to danger and often the first police officer that members of the public come into contact with.

“It is imperative that we recognise the value of this role and the officers upon whom this responsibility rests.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Wellbeing, Ch Supt Chris Gibson, said: “I am very proud to Support T/ DCC Carden’s NPCC Response Policing Portfolio as the Wellbeing and Resilience workstream lead.

I am privileged to have worked alongside Response officers throughout my career and I am passionate about supporting and recognising our frontline responders and ensuring that the very valuable role that they perform in policing is recognised as a specialism in its own right.

The NPCC Response Wellbeing and Resilience workstream group is responsible for coordinating national activity during the Response Policing Week and collaborating with key stakeholders such as The College of Policing and Oscar Kilo to support Response officers all year round.

Throughout the year we work very hard to engage and seek feedback from frontline responders to ensure that the week of action is practitioner led and provides a voice to response officers in order to contribute to the ongoing NPCC wellbeing support offer.”

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, College of Policing CEO, said: “Response is at the core of policing’s crime fighting mission and we must look after the officers and staff who are responding to calls from the public and confronting criminals day and night.

“This week of action is an opportunity to celebrate response teams and highlight the wellbeing support and practical guidance the College of Policing offers.

“We have created a range of resources specifically with response officers in mind so those in policing’s most demanding roles get the learning and leadership they deserve.”