Concerns frontline officers face increasing threats to welfare with ‘devastating consequences’

By Jaime Doward @ TheGuardian.com, Sept. 26

More firearms are finding their way on to Britain’s streets with devastating consequences, the head of the body representing rank-and-file police officers has warned.

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation, which speaks for more than 120,000 officers in England and Wales, spoke out amid growing concerns about the welfare of frontline officers. He said the death of Sgt Matiu Ratana at Croydon custody centre in south London was a “poignant reminder of how dangerous the job is”.

And he warned that rising crime and ministerial pressure for the police to enforce limits on social gatherings have left officers facing an autumn of conflict. “What we have tried to do throughout this crisis is policing by consent,” Apter said. “This pandemic has put that model under pressure.”

Apter’s comments came as police again on Saturday clashed with anti-lockdown protesters at a central London demonstration. Bottles were thrown and police used batons against demonstrators.

Tributes to 54-year-old Ratana, originally from New Zealand, poured in after he was apparently shot by a handcuffed 23-year-old man who had been taken into custody for possession of ammunition and possession of class B drugs with intent to supply.Ratana is believed to be the first police officer to be shot dead in a British police station. The incident took place in a holding area used to screen suspects for Covid-19 [....]