Tough action needed to halt level of attacks on police in Northern Ireland, federation warns
Legislators and courts need to take 'tough and decisive action' to counter the 'shocking and appalling' toll of attacks on police officers, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland has said.
The federation, which represents rank-and-file Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers, said nine officers on average are being assaulted every day in the region.
During recent unrest in Northern Ireland, more than 70 officers have been injured, with some treated in hospital.
However, the federation has highlighted that officers deal with the daily risk of assault which often leads to injury and time off work, placing additional pressure on serving colleagues.
It has launched the 'Let Them Protect' public campaign, backed by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Justice Minister Naomi Long.
One police officer recalled being punched so hard to the head that she lost consciousness at an event in west Belfast.
Inspector Roisin Brown said the incident left her with post-concussion syndrome and unable to return to work for three weeks, as well as initial nervousness about dealing with the public for a time after that.
Sergeant Mark Young also recalled a serious assault he suffered, and said it has become a 'normal part of society in Northern Ireland', adding that he would like to see tougher sentencing for all attacks on police.
Ms Brown said every police officer experiences being assaulted.
'Every single day I come into work and I review the previous 24 hours activities, and someone has been assaulted,' she said.
'One of my neighbourhood officers broke his foot four weeks ago at an interface, trying to arrest somebody.
'I actually think assaults are becoming more serious and injuries are becoming more serious, broken bones, people losing consciousness, and then you have the everyday run-of-the-mill assaults that no one really talks about.'
Mr Young, who is based in Fermanagh, recalled entering a cell out of concern for a man who was trying to self harm, and coming under attack with multiple blows to the head which left him with 'no clue where I was'.
The person responsible received a community service order.
'Myself and a female civilian detention officer went to try and assist him, he turned on a sixpence, became very violent, exceptionally aggressive and punched violently 14-15 times to the head, kneed twice to the side of the head, which whilst it didn't render me unconscious thankfully, I had no clue where I was, and he calmly walked out of the cell and slammed the door shut with me still inside,' he said.
'I was left with a black eye and bruising to the top, back and side of my head which was the physical aspect of it.
'The mental aspect of it was that it happened on Mothering Sunday, I had to go home to my wife and two young children, and they weren't expecting to see me like that. The mental scarring that they have also has an impact on them.
'I would like to see greater sentencing for assaults on police, even at the lowest of levels.
'The gentleman concerned in respect of my assault only received a community service order, and I did receive a lot of support from colleagues and members of the public in respect to the low sentencing that was offered to him.'
Police Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the nine-a-day figure was conservative as many officers who suffer more minor assaults do not report them.
He said: 'These figures are shocking and appalling. It's high time we saw a much tougher approach with assailants who strike, kick, punch and spit at our colleagues.
'We want the public to realise the full extent of what our officers – themselves fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – have to suffer.
'It's not right they should end up in hospital with injuries they sustain while protecting the community.'
Mr Kelly added: 'Decisive and tough sentences handed down by magistrates and judges will deter those who assault our police officers.
'Sentencing guidelines must be strengthened to empower the courts, to implement an effective deterrent.'
Ms Long said police officers in Northern Ireland demonstrate 'extraordinary courage' every day.
But she added: 'Shockingly, some people still feel that it is OK to attack or assault a police officer or that it's simply part of the job.
'That is not an acceptable attitude towards any other member of society and is certainly not an acceptable manner to treat those who uphold the rule of law and place themselves in harm's way to protect others.'
She added: 'I am committed to introducing stronger legislation to protect police officers and staff and will include a new offence, with a higher maximum penalty, for assaulting a person who is providing a service to the public, performing a public duty or delivering a public service in the Sentencing Bill.
'I hope to introduce this legislation to the Assembly in the autumn of this year.'
Chief Constable Mr Boutcher said: 'Policing is a tough profession and the officers and staff of the police service who stand up to serve the people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing but our admiration and respect.
'Every one of them does a vital job and whilst they come to work knowing that on any given day they could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, what we should never accept, is for them to be physically assaulted.
'Being attacked should never be thought of as part of anyone's 'normal day' at work.'
Mr Boutcher said the public cannot continue to take policing for granted.
He said: 'Support for policing, and for our police officers, needs to be society-wide, and it should be recognised and understood that it is simply not acceptable to assault or attack police officers.
'We cannot, and will not, simply stand by and accept it.'
Policing Board chairman Mukesh Sharma said: 'Police officers step forward when others step back.
'They put their lives on the line for others every day and they do not deserve to come to work to be kicked, bitten or assaulted in any other way.
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