Fear of reprisals for police and their families makes it too risky to commute to work in uniform, says top officer
Rank and file police officers have condemned proposals to make them wear their uniforms to and from work.
Paul McKeever, the chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said officers could face reprisals simply by wearing their uniform while commuting.
A report by think-tank Policy Exchange has suggested that if officers wore uniforms heading into work on trains and buses it would increase visibility, reassure the public and would equate to having an extra 1,200 officers on the streets of London.
Criticism: Police officers fear reprisals if they have to commute to work in London wearing uniforms
But Mr McKeever said officers would never get to work while wearing their uniforms because they would be pestered by people seeking to resolve issues.
He added: ‘It takes no account of the fact police officers already have a duty to intervene in incidents whether on or off duty.
‘This could expose them and their families to threats and reprisals at home.
Reprisals: Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation, said wearing uniforms to work is risky for officers
‘This is what I mean when I say the content of this report does not represent reality.’
Manchester Chief Constable Peter Fahy, speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, dismissed the idea as a ‘red herring’.
‘Most officers travel to work now in cars,’ he added. ‘I am not sure how many of the public would see them.’
Many police officers reacted with anger to the proposals on Twitter.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland tweeted: ‘Going to work in uniform? Suicide here and frequently unsafe elsewhere. High price to pay for extra visibility.
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