Wiltshire Police Praised in HMICFRS Pandemic Policing Report
Wiltshire Police has been singled out for top marks in the HMICFRS’s new Policing in the Pandemic report, which reviews how all 43 forces across England and Wales handled the Covid crisis.
The 78-page report highlights Wiltshire’s standout efforts to protect both the public and its own workforce during unprecedented times.
Hidden Harms and Public Protection: Wiltshire Leads the Way
Wiltshire Police went the extra mile to keep officers informed about the risks of hidden harms during lockdowns. Staff from public protection roles delivered a five-week series of briefings to all frontline officers covering crucial issues like modern slavery, vulnerable adults, missing children, coercive control, and building cases without victim support.
They also launched a dedicated web page early in the pandemic, giving the local community clear access to vital information and regular updates—including press releases and vlogs from Chief Constable Kier Pritchard—showing how the force kept everyone safe.
Fair Policing with the Four Es Approach
Wiltshire Police implemented a strict four-stage system—engage, explain, encourage, enforce—to ensure fair and proportionate action. Each stage was carefully logged in a dedicated database, backed up by a scrutiny panel that reviewed fixed penalty notices to prevent bias or disproportionate impact on any group.
Supporting Officers and Staff Throughout
The force’s commitment to staff welfare also earned praise. Managers maintained regular video contact with shielding, self-isolating, and home-working employees, logging individual needs and support via an online HR system.
Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “I am incredibly proud of how all my officers, staff and volunteers have risen to the challenge. We’ve put our communities at the heart of everything and worked closely with partners for a consistent, joined-up response. We police by consent, focusing on engagement and encouragement, resorting to enforcement only when absolutely necessary.”
He added: “This report shows how Wiltshire Police not only protected the public but also looked after our own people. A police force is only as good as the people within it.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Applauds Efforts
Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson also welcomed the findings, praising the “hard work and dedication” of officers and staff through three national lockdowns.
“Ensuring policing with public consent was vital during a phenomenon never experienced before,” he said. “Regular engagement with communities and partners built trust and transparency, making sure enforcement was consistent and fair.
I want to thank all police officers, staff, and volunteers who put their own health at risk to serve our communities. They are true public servants.”
Wiltshire Police’s pandemic policing sets a new benchmark, showing how adaptability, fairness, and care for the workforce can deliver exceptional public service in turbulent times.
