New Welfare Support team created to support North Wales Police officers and staff

A new team created to provide direct welfare support to officers and staff of North Wales Police has been launched.

The Welfare Support Team consists of a team leader and three officers, including nurses with a physical health and mental health background and a serving police officer.

Maria Hughes Head of Medical Services and Wellbeing said: “The official launch means the team are now in place to provide a service that will enable welfare provision for psychological, physical and practical support for individuals across the force.”

Deputy Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “I’m delighted that we are launching our new Welfare Support Team which boasts a raft of skills and experience.”

“It’s is important that we provide appropriate support and welfare for our police officers and staff in order to keep them fit and healthy to ensure they continue to provide an outstanding service to the communities we serve.”

“We have a large workforce with many of our staff working full shifts right at the very front line for many years.”

“Policing is a challenging role that can take its toll both physically and psychologically.

“Staff are repeatedly exposed to physical dangers and traumatising incidents which can impact over a period of time; be it our Roads Policing Unit attending deaths on the road, detectives investigating the most abhorrent crimes against extremely vulnerable members of our communities or our front line officers who are the first responders at extremely violent and distressing incidents.

“We are investing in our workforce so that when they are attending to help our communities in their darkest hour, they are both physically and psychologically equipped to provide the best possible service.”