Essex Police Chief backs 'Face the Family Campaign'
Ben Julian Harrington says it's for the government to make it a law, but he personally backs the idea
Chief of Essex Police, Ben Julian Harrington, has expressed his support for the Bauer Media 'Face the Families' campaign, which calls for court officials to be given more powers to ensure offenders appear in court for sentencing in person.
Since it's launch, the initiative has gained traction with numerous high-profile figures, including the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and families of victims who have not had the opportunity to face their loved ones' killers.
Chief Harrington discussed with Greatest Hits Radio Essex; why he personally could support such a change and the importance of personal accountability and justice for the affected families.
"Well, first and foremost it is for for the government to make the law, and it's for the courts to to interpret that law, and I think that's really important for me to say as a senior police".
"So what's my personal view?"
"I think that where victims have been impacted by people who have hurt them, hurt their families, hurt their loved ones... I think there is something about justice being seen to be done".
"I think there is something (important) from my personal perspective about people being accountable for the things they do and (being made) to listen to the impact statement - (to understand) the impact what they did had on a family or an individual".
"...For those families who have in some cases lost their loved ones because of criminal activity, they want to be able to see that person, and know that justice has been done".
"So I do support it on a personal level. As a police force, it's for us to to work within the law. It's not for us to set the law, and that's the role for government and for judges and the judiciary. But I would support it because I think it's really, really important that that those people who have been affected understand that. That there is closure for them and I think it also serves as a deterrent".
Do you think that if a new law is implemented it could also reduce stress and pressure, potentially get things out of court or through court quicker?
"From a personal viewpoint, if somebody had hurt my family or hurt me, I would want to make sure that they were answerable for the things they did and they just couldn't ignore that and that the full impact of what they've done was was played out for them. So they couldn't just ignore the harm that they've done".
"I think that would have a really positive impact, just so people can make sure that somebody understood the harm they caused. Certainly in my experience, when you talk to victims, that is something that they really want".