THE impact the pandemic has had on rank and file police officers has been revealed after a Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) survey showed 67 per cent of respondents reported the crisis has had a negative impact on morale at Cumbria Constabulary.

According to the study though, only 41 per cent of respondents from Cumbria Constabulary said that their morale is currently low.

In addition to this, 14 per cent of respondents from Cumbria Constabulary said that they have not received adequate training on the COVID-19 crisis from their force, and another 14 per cent said that they have not had access to adequate PPE when necessary during the COVID-19 crisis.

However, 193 responses were received from Cumbria Constabulary, which represents a response rate of around 16 per cent, which Cumbria Police Federation chair Paul Williams believes gives an inaccurate representation of the full force.

The Westmorland Gazette: CHAIRMAN: Paul Williams of the Police FederationCHAIRMAN: Paul Williams of the Police Federation

“Morale has naturally been low as has been covered over recent times due to extraordinary strains placed on the Police Service nationally with number cuts and pay freezes,” he said.

“With the onset of COVID this has caused extra strain however I am confident morale will lift due to ongoing work not just around uplift in numbers but current working groups which have been set up in the constabulary who have invited the federation for full consultation at every level.

“The survey does demonstrate Cumbria is well above national average in other areas as below.

• 63 per cent say Covid-19 handled well (49 per cent nationally)

• 91 per cent said kept informed (78 per cent nationally)

• 67 per cent adequate PPE (41 per cent nationally)

• 68 per cent adequate access to PPE (48 per cent nationally)

“My disappointment in results around this survey is more the lack of participants which is very low and not necessarily giving us an accurate picture.”

He went on to say how this is something they will be addressing in the future.

Temporary Chief Superintendent of Cumbria Constabulary, Rob O’Connor, said: “Whilst the statistics are from a very small percentage of our police officers, the survey does show that our officers are significantly more positive about the Constabulary than the national average in practically every area.

“In Cumbria, officers are significantly happier with access to and the quality of PPE than in other areas of the country, as well as how they are being kept informed of Covid-19 developments.

“Every police station has stocks of PPE and our Occupational Health Unit have worked hard to ensure those that want antibody and antigen testing had the option of receiving it.

“Overall, the survey – taken at an incredibly challenging time for everyone, not least police officers – portrays a positive picture here in Cumbria when compared to the national picture.

“However, we are not complacent and are working every day to ensure Cumbria Constabulary remains amongst the best police forces to work for in the country.”