We are obviously all living through challenging times right now.
A worldwide pandemic like Coronavirus is not something any of us thought we would experience in our lifetimes.
We know it’s difficult and we all need to work together to get through it.
As a Federation, we are in constant contact with the Force. We’re involved in all of the Gold Groups and are discussing the issues that will concern members and how we are critical to the Government’s strategy in dealing with COVID-19.
Everyone in the Federation is so proud of what you, our members, are doing to maintain security at the sites where the MDP are deployed and how well you are doing it under extremely trying conditions.
That’s not just dealing with social distancing implications at your places of work, but just attending for duty when you are bound to have concerns for your families and things at home.
We fully appreciate that this is a worrying time and we appreciate everything you are doing to support not only the MDP, but also the MOD and the Government in making sure that we’re able to deal with COVID-19 and all of its outcomes.
Of course, another challenge right now is how we police the Government restrictions aimed at keeping people at home.
It’s difficult to see just what sort of impact this new legislation is going to have. As police officers, we want this to work, however it will take a while to fully understand the legislation and new police powers, but it is so important in helping to stop COVID-19 from spreading further.
Here at the Defence Police Federation we are constantly striving to keep you our colleagues as well informed as possible of our work, news, views and updates that are of relevance to you. Relevant to your operational roles as police officers and relevant to your own health, wellbeing and safety. Communication to us is key.
We provide regular updates in the member’s area of our website www.dpf.org.uk and on our Twitter Feed www.twitter.com/DefencePolFed as well as our regular newsletter. We felt it important in this difficult time to also now launch a Facebook page www.facebook.com/DefencePoliceFederation where you will also now be able to keep up to date with news, views and updates from your Federation.
Thank you for continuing to do what you do. You’re at work and working hard to protect people as an integral part of the emergency service workers. We never expected we would have to do this, but you are rising to the challenge.
We can’t thank you enough.
Stay well and stay safe.
Mitch Batt
General Secretary
