Page 37 - Top Cover Issue 9

TOP COVER ISSUE 9 37

issues that concern them. Our telephone a post incident investigation and/or are
staff have had training in police discipline suspended from duty or, following a
procedures, post incident procedures, as consultation with the PFEW & PFOA,
well as being certificated in mental health it is decided that an officer is in need
first aid and are ready to listen to officers’ of being placed on the programme.
and their families’ concerns so they can The family of officers that fall into
help them gain the best support available. these criteria are also fully supported
If appropriate, and with the permission by the WSP and include immediate
from the caller, the WSP staff can family, partners, family living in the
evidence issues directly to the Federation same household as the officer and
and therefore shorten the time needed any dependants of the officer.
to obtain coaching or counselling if this Rob Venables, Merseyside Police
is considered by the Federation to be Federation Support and Welfare
an appropriate course of action. This is Rep states “We have integrated the
unique in that it not only allows officers Welfare Support Programme into
to contact independent support directly, our suite of support measures
but it also allows family members to do that we utilise for our officers
the same, giving them the chance to deal who are vulnerable when facing
with their concerns immediately and exceptional pressures. The
through the same network that supports number of calls to the line
the officer. demonstrates the confidence
The WSP is available to all serving that officers have in the WSP
police officers who are members of the already. We are particularly
Federation and become part of a death impressed by the caring attitude
or serious injury at work that results in of all the staff working on the initiative.”

Contact Your Travel Counsellor
Alison Marden

01904 891790
alison.marden@travelcounsellors.com
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/alison.marden