Society Demands 200% from Policing but Gives Back Nothing.

Policing was once a job to be proud of. Many joined as cadets from the age of 18 and stayed until retirement. It was more than an occupation. Officers were proud, proud of the work they did in their community, and most importantly, they had leaders who had got there from experience, knew the job, and understood their officers. They had support and understanding.

These days, that seems to have disappeared. The number of officers with over five or ten years’ experience on our streets is at record low levels. Like morale. What is at record high levels is the number of officers leaving policing, officers with experience, officers who were once committed and dedicated to their job.

Yes, of course it is important to get new recruits, but we are losing countless officers with years of experience, and why is that the case? A recent survey showed morale is at rock bottom and support is lacking. These are individuals who put themselves literally in the firing line. Why can we not support them?

Policing is a job like no other. It is also a job that is perpetually criticised. Do not criticise unless you have been on a ride-along with your local officers and witnessed first-hand the work they do. Yes, there have been some truly horrendous officers who have no place in the police, but most importantly, there are many, many outstanding officers on our streets every day doing a job that most of us would never do.

The pressures they face are unimaginable and the work they do is at times unbelievable. They are there when people are at their lowest and deal with environments that are horrific. Most officers joined to make a difference, and so many do, right across our community.

Policing has now reached a point where funding, morale, mental health support, wages, and working conditions need to be urgently looked at. But will they be? Society demands 200 percent from officers, but gives back zero. This cannot continue. Record-breaking numbers of officers are leaving in mass. Officers who once loved and cherished their job—have we asked them why they are leaving? Does anyone care?

Imagine a job where you are not even provided a place to eat your food, and when you can have all of ten minutes to eat, you are criticised for eating. Imagine being told you have a large area to cover, an inordinate number of calls, and very few resources and officers to cover them. How mentally can anyone keep going in this role, especially without the support needed? Imagine going to work with post-traumatic stress disorder while dealing with more traumatic situations every day.

These are people doing their best. Society demands, the public demands, and points fingers, but very few actually support.

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