Page 8 - Bedfed Conf2016 Flip Book

Question time: Home Secretary addresses members’ concerns
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an ever-popular feature of the Home Secretary’s visit to conference – for delegates at least – is the opportunity for questions to be put directly to her on behalf of members.
This year the topics covered ranged from calls for more to be done to tackle officer assaults to a more pointed question asking Theresa May what she felt her legacy would be.
Here are a selection of the questions asked, and the Home Secretary’s answers.
Q: Nick Smart, chair of West yorkshire Police Federation, asked the Home Secretary for legislation and guidelines for assaults on police officers, telling her: “There are too many examples of police officers being assaulted and the offenders just getting a slap on the wrist. Assaulting a police officer is a crime. My sergeant apprehended an offender who threw acid in his face and he got 20 months.”
a: “I recognise the dangers police officers face every day. We introduced the life sentence for those who take the life of an officer and we are looking at this also and working with the Federation and the committee. We will sit down and talk about this issue, but we are taking it seriously and getting much better information on the number and type of assaults taking place. I think the Federation has recognised we take this very seriously and are looking very carefully at what is happening.”
Q: Graham Haygreen, Region 4 representative: “you are keen on citizens being involved in policing and on Specials joining the PFeW. Can you confirm that you continue to support Specials having access to joining the PFeW and a commitment that you will allow this to happen?”
a: “We are consulting with the Specials and the Police Federation and that is ongoing. I’m not sure why Specials were not asked to be part of the Federation historically but this is something we are looking at and an issue for Specials themselves.”
Q: Martin avis, Wiltshire: “How confident do you feel that the uK could cope with a multi-pronged terror attack?”
a: “We have looked at what capability is needed to be able to respond to a terror attack. That is why money will be made available for a number of armed officers and specialist armed officers. Action is being taken accordingly.”
Q: (Skyped) PC Russ Speller, devon & Cornwall: “We have officers who may be miles from colleagues and members of the public. Will the Home Office provide funding for forces wanting to increase officers trained in Taser?” a: “I take the point that officers are saying they want it but that is an operational decision so it’s for chief constables to make, depending on whether they feel it’s appropriate for their force. It isn’t right for politicians to get involved. The Transformation Programme may mean funding is available.”
Steve White: “yes, it is an operational decision but our officers are saying they need Taser rolling out. Are you saying that some of the Police Transformation Programme money could be used to uplift Taser training? Devon and Cornwall needs to find £1.4 million for this so it would be nice if money was available.”
a: “It isn’t definite that money will be available but it could be.”
Q: andy Rhodes, Kent: “As you know, recent changes to Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act reduced the hours of detention from nine to six hours. Could this be amended as this reduced timescale is not adequate, particularly in relation to places like France where advice is not readily available and in relation to devices with ever extending memory. People are being released before a complete examination has taken place. We need the tools to carry out our job.”
a: “I understand the point, particularly with the need to investigate devices, but we had to achieve balance between operational needs and what was justifiable, because an independent review said six hours was enough. There have also been a number of challenges to Schedule 7. This is not something that happened because Government thought it was a good idea. Schedule 7 is an important tool but it has to be balanced. There will be a number of changes to Schedule 7 because we are always looking at counter terrorism.”
Russ Speller asks his question via Skype.