British police providing security during President Donald Trump’s historic visit to the United Kingdom are sleeping in conditions more suited for soldiers, with some members of the Police Federation upset over the notion of sleeping on cots and sleeping pads.
Federation members circulated images from a squash court in Essex, showing long lines of cots and sleeping pads designated for officers to rest on during their rotations.
“Prisoners arrested last night will have had better accommodation than those #police officers ensuring the Presidential visit runs smoothly,” Hampshire Police Federation John Apter wrote on Twitter. “@PoliceChiefs who talk well-being of their people need to take a long hard look at this. This is not acceptable.”
Prisoners arrested last night will have had better accommodation than those #police officers ensuring the Presidential visit runs smoothly. @PoliceChiefs who talk well-being of their people need to take a long hard look at this. This is not acceptable. pic.twitter.com/B81tI8zQaC
— John Apter (@Hantsfedchair) July 12, 2018
According to The Guardian, British Labour Party Louise Haigh politician expressed her displeasure over the incident, demanding Home Office minister Nick Hurd be held accountable for the situation.
“It has emerged that officers being accommodated in Essex are sleeping on cots in squash courts, 100 female officers with four toilets between them, likely to be sleeping on mats tonight, 300 male officers with five toilets between them,” she asked Hurd in the House of Commons. “Is it any wonder that forces struggle to fill their requirements?”
“Those concerns [about accommodation] have been raised directly with Essex police and are being managed,” Hurd replied.
With 100 separate protests against Donald Trump planned across the country, resulting in about 4,000 additional officers being pushed to hotspots around the country.
At the National #PoliceBravery Awards today with 2 brave @lincspolice officers and their partners. Could post pics of evening spent with them in the Tower of London(Ceremony of the Keys) but subdued when seeing pics of “accommodation” for cops away on mutual aid. Disgraceful pic.twitter.com/sYWzBw6Pld
— LincsPolFed (@LincsPolFed) July 12, 2018
Many of the officers will work 12-hour shifts and may face heavy resistance from civilians.
With long shifts ahead for officers all over the country, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson have referred to the spartan conditions as“an absolute disgrace”.
“No officer should be made to sleep on a camp bed, inches from the floor, in a sports hall with scores of colleagues only metres apart after a 12-hour shift,” Jamieson said. “These officers are in the south east to keep the president safe. They aren’t asking for luxury accommodation, but the least we can do is put them up in a room with a proper bed.”
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