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<p>It is absolutely unacceptable for police officers and staff to be assaulted when
carrying out their duties, and we are determined to ensure that they have the support
and protection they need.</p><p>The Government has invested in programmes which offer
help directly to officers and staff. This includes £7.5 million to fund the development
of the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), which was launched in April 2019.</p><p>The
NPWS has developed evidence-based guidance, advice, tools and resources which can
be accessed by forces, as well as individual officers and staff. This helps Chief
Constables in their duty to ensure the wellbeing of all officers and staff, by signposting
to relevant services and additional support.</p><p>However, we want to go further,
and have therefore accelerated work to introduce a Police Covenant, to recognise the
service and sacrifice of our brave police officers and staff and to deliver the urgent
practical support they need. The key areas of focus will be physical protection, health
and wellbeing and support for families. On 26 February, we launched a public consultation
into the scope and principle of the Covenant. The consultation will run for 8 weeks,
closing on 22 April, and will subsequently be put into law as part of the planned
Police Powers and Protection Bill.</p><p>We have also committed to consult on doubling
the maximum sentence for assaults on emergency workers and are working closely with
the Ministry of Justice who are leading on this important work.</p>
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