James Sunderland calls on Government to enshrine the police covenant in law

James Sunderland pays tribute to Thames Valley police and calls on the Home Secretary to enshrine the police covenant in law which would better support police officers and their families.

James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)

We owe our frontline police officers a debt of gratitude. I recently saw at first hand the great work that they do when I joined Thames Valley police for a night shift as part of its ride-along scheme in Bracknell. Home Secretary, is it now time to enshrine the police covenant in law? [906680]

Priti Patel (Home Secretary)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I pay tribute to Thames Valley police. It is an exceptional and outstanding police force, and I know his community is served well by it. He has heard my remarks on the police covenant, and it is absolutely right that we do much more to protect our frontline officers and their family members and provide the welfare support that they all need as well. I absolutely concur with all Members of the House in recognising that Friday’s murder highlights why we need to put that into law.

Hansard