Proverbs 1:5

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.

Well, we saw this week the first protest by the Police in over a decade, not as some seem to insist because they aren’t getting the pay rise they want, but because the Government have stitched them up like a kipper.  For those who don’t understand, let me try to explain how the police pay rise works:-

The Police and Government, many years ago, agreed that in return for the police losing the right to strike, an independant body would set the pay rise the police received each year, and that both sides would be honour bound to accept it.  Now admittedly the Pay Review Board have given the police an above inflation pay rise for the last few years, however I feel this is perfectly reasonable, no other profession (with the current exception of the armed forces) are expected to put their lives on the line every day to protect you and me.  Not only the risk of being beaten up, shot, stabbed, but also run over whilst dealing with accidents etc.

True, nurses, firefighters and Ambulance crews of all types work hard to protect us, and do encounter danger, but it is rare that these dedicated people will die for their job.  The police however lose too many officers each year, See this post by a police officer , about the 13 police officers who died in the line of duty last year, not to mention the hundreds more who have been injured.

So, what do our politicians do?  Well, they have these financial targets see, so they decide to ignore the pay decision, or rather implement it in a way that lowers its value.  So the police are unable to do anything about it, and the Government has saved about £30 million.

At the same time, no one considers the ramifications of these actions.  Did anyone think for a minute what will happen when the Prison Officers go on strike next, which is a possibility, and they ask the police to work overtime to help the Government out?  Or will we send our overstretched troops in to run the prisons.  What will happen the next time fire fighters go on strike, and the police are asked to work overtime to show the army’s Green Goddess crews where to go, since they don’t know the area.

You want my opinion?  The police will do what is asked of them, not because its overtime, not because the Government asked them, but because they joined up to protect us, and that is what they will do, no matter what it costs them, even to the loss of their lives.

So, next time you see a police officer walking down the street, why don’t you thank them for what they do for us.  You might get a few strange looks, especially of the police officer who don’t expect the public to show gratitude, but at least they will know someone appreciates their dedication.