Suffolk Police say abusive behaviour towards them or anyone won't be tolerated
It's after two men assaulted 17 officers
A senior Suffolk Police officer says assaults on police officers are happening “far too often” and should never be seen as part of the job.
Chief Inspector Andy Watkins spoke to us following two men appearing in court charged with multiple assaults on police officers between them
He said:
“Although I don't have any specific numbers, I'm personally seeing assaults on police officers happening far too often and really should never be treated as an occupational hazard. They are serious crimes. Those responsible will be dealt with robustly by Suffolk Police.”
Chief Inspector Watkins said officers were increasingly facing verbal and physical abuse while doing their jobs.
“What I'm seeing is police officers who are going out to do their job, like many other members of the public, and have been needlessly assaulted, spat at, and verbally abused by members of the public,” he said.
"It's disconcerting and also upsetting"
Reflecting on his own experience, he added:
“I've been assaulted a number of times. I'm a police officer of 27 years… and what I will say is on each and every occasion I've been supported by the organisation, and actually by members of the public at the time as well.”
He said violence against officers was always upsetting:
“There's a real frustration because I don't think you're ever prepared for that. You go to work to help people, and that's your main role as a police officer. So to encounter violence against yourself… it's disconcerting and also upsetting.”
Chief Inspector Watkins said education and clear expectations were key to tackling the problem:
“Anyone who decides they're going to assault a police officer will be robustly treated. I think every part of society has a role to play in this, as a parent, as a teacher, it's about setting standards and expectations for people.”
He added that while the majority of the public respect the police, and that "it’s important those who don’t are held to account....
“The people responsible for this are a minority in our society… but when someone decides they're going to assault an emergency service worker or any person who's going about their day-to-day work, they will be dealt with robustly.”
Suffolk Police continues to urge anyone who witnesses an assault on an emergency worker to report it immediately.