Two stones of kit takes its toll in pursuit of suspects

PAUL Connelly, Scottish Police Federation lead for health and safety in the west of Scotland, explains the reasons for the new training pilot.

FOOT PURSUIT

“Our members are doing their damnedest to apprehend people. You can go from a standing start to full speed, wearing about two stones worth of kit and armour, often down alleys and across broken ground, and people are getting things like fractured ankles and torn knees trying to bring people to justice.”

METHOD OF ENTRY “There is an urgency to get in, often not for crime but for concern for people trapped in a building. The main piece of equipment is effectively a battering ram, and you’ve got officers crawling over a door that’s been halved or through broken glass to get in.

“I’m aware of officers who have been seriously injured attending to an elderly member of the public, when there has been concern for the person’s safety and there wasn’t time to wait for a joiner because time is of the essence.

“I’ve seen really serious injuries like cops getting their arms lacerated.”

APPLYING HANDCUFFS “Someone can’t hurt you when you’re out of range, but when you have to go hands on with people that is the point they will attack you. It’s not unusual for someone to appear docile, and then stick the head in, punch and kick officers at the last minute when you have to get up close to restrain someone.”