The officers and staff of both Police and Fire & Rescue deserve our thanks and gratitude for the work they do every day, putting themselves at risk in order to keep our residents and communities safe. 

I support the Police Covenant which has created a statutory duty on the government to do more for both those currently serving and those retired, as well as their families. I have also pushed for an increase in the protection offered them by law, and am pleased to see that the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act has doubled sentences for Assaults on Emergency Workers.

I will continue actively to support and invest in the provision of health and wellbeing services for the Police and Fire & Rescue workforce acknowledging the difficult and challenging situations they may and do experience in the course of their duties.

I want to see a supportive culture across both Police and Fire & Rescue. That means an increase in diversity, with an inclusive recruitment and development strategy so that people from all segments of our community can aspire to serve the public through these services.