Staffordshire Police Federation chair Lee Robinson says stop and search powers are an effective method of removing weapons from the streets.
Lee said that while he recognised the sensitivities around the use of the tactic, he said there were checks and balances in place to ensure it was being used appropriately.
Critics of stop and search say the technique disproportionately targets black and minority ethnic communities.
Lee’s comments come as the Home Secretary Suella Braverman called on police to increase the use of stop and search powers to “prevent violence and save more lives”.
In a statement aimed at all 43 police forces in England and Wales, Ms Braverman said: “Carrying weapons is a scourge on our society, and anyone doing so is risking their own lives as well as the lives of those around them. This dangerous culture must be brought to a stop.
“My first priority is to keep the public safe, and people who insist on carrying a weapon must know that there will be consequences.
“The police have my full support to ramp up the use of stop and search, wherever necessary, to prevent violence and save more lives.”
Lee said he was supportive of the use of stop and search.
He said: “While I recognise there are sensitivities around its use, stop and search is an effective method of removing knives and other weapons from our streets.
“We have transparency and accountability around stop and search.
“There’s our Force policy that all stop and search encounters are recorded on body worn video as well as the scrutiny that comes after the event from the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office and local independent panels.
“Our members are often the first on the scene when one of these weapons has been used and it can be a traumatic experience.
“If we can prevent families from going through that horror then I’m supportive of the appropriate use of stop and search.
“It’s in place to be used when necessary to prevent our children and young people becoming the next victim in horrific circumstances.”
