Staffordshire Police Federation chair Lee Robinson today hit back at the Home Secretary Suella Braverman after she described policing as “woke” and “politically correct”.
Lee rejected Ms Braverman’s comments as distraction from the Government’s underinvestment in policing.
He was responding to a speech by Ms Braverman at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Partnership Summit in which the Home Secretary praised Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson, saying “he rejects woke policing and embraced a back to basics approach”.
Ms Braverman said: “Our police officers’ time is precious, and the public want the police to be tackling crime, not debating genders on Twitter.”
She added: “The way to ensure public confidence in the police is to focus on getting the basics right.
“What I call common sense policing. The kind of policing the law-abiding patriotic majority deserves and expects.
“No politically correct distractions, just good old-fashioned policing – with a relentless focus on making our streets, homes, and transport networks safer.”
Lee hit back at Ms Braverman, saying her comments aimed to stoke division and distract from the impact of austerity and the loss of thousands of police officers.
He said: “We’re absolutely focused on making our communities safer. However, cuts have consequences and a decade of austerity and the loss of thousands of officers means has had a devastating impact on policing.
“The uplift programme is a welcome boost to our numbers, but even now poor pay and conditions mean we’re struggling to attract and retain the best candidates.
“The Home Secretary’s divisive comments are a distraction from the real issues facing policing.”
Lee added: “Officers are sick and tired of being used by this Government as part of their culture wars. Our members police many community, cultural and sporting events. They’ll chat, share a laugh, and show the human side to policing.
“It’s about building confidence in the police and ensuring that all communities feel safe and supported. And hopefully people will feel they can trust us to come forward with information if we ever need it.
“That to me is old-fashioned, common sense community policing.
“And we need more officers on the streets to be able to do more of it.”
Read Ms Braverman’s speech in full.
