COVID 19 - Update- Closure of PFNI Offices

Colleagues

Over the past weeks Police Federation representatives have been in attendance at Gold meetings as PSNI manage their response to COVID 19 Pandemic with our aim being to ensure Police Officer welfare and safety is prioritised.

Further to articles on Point and emails recently circulated communicating the PSNI strategy, I would like to provide reassurance that PFNI are representing your concerns in the following areas:

1. Ensuring effective command and control structures are in place to identify potential COVID 19 incidents and provide safe systems for attending officers.
2. Provision of adequate PPE equipment for officers. It is acknowledged there is a worldwide shortage of PPE including FFP3 masks and PSNI have taken steps to ensure the effective use of current stocks and have ordered additional supplies.
3. Availability of hand sanitiser and wipes to assist officers manage the risk. PSNI ordered a large quantity of gel and wipes a number of weeks ago which has been impacted by the worldwide shortage. An additional order has been placed in light of projected demand and supply chain issues.
4. Comprehensive HR guidance has been prepared and it is hoped it will be circulated later today.
5. Additional COVID 19 specific legislation to grant additional powers to Police are in process locally to replicate legislation in England and Wales.
6. PHA tracking of contact re infection has been discussed and appropriate measures have been identified to protect personal details of Police officers.
7. Current supply issues of soap and paper towels to facilitate frequent hand washing have been discussed and addressed with the supplier.
8. Identification of staff at higher risk due to the current situation. PSNI will address this area of concern in their communication later today.
9. Promotion processes and internal selection processes. PSNI will address this area of concern in their communication later today.

Officer safety and wellbeing is paramount and we will continue to liaise with PSNI to make representations on your behalf as the situation develops. Please communicate any emerging issues to your local Regional Board Rep’s in the first instance and continue to follow the advice of the Public Health Agency as published on Point.

Due to the fluidity of the process and ever changing picture we will endeavour to provide updates and as soon as practicable. 

In light of the situation we have made the decision to close PFNI Offices to all visitors from today.

We ask you NOT to visit the PFNI Offices but instead call us on the number below or contact us via the website. If you need to leave in hard copy documentation we ask that you send this in the internal mail.

Mark Lindsay, Chairman