SPIT and bite guards to restrain attackers and suspects are being introduced for the Solihull region.
The announcement came in a cautiously worded press release. Understandably, with the force fairly recognising the potential sensitivities among some.
Most will surely agree there’s a need to protect officers and the public from potentially deadly infections carried in saliva and blood.
The press release also contained supportive and well-measured words from Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Jamieson – elected (by the minority who turned out to vote) to hold the police to account.
Such collaborative singing ON the same hymn sheet is a relatively minor point.
But there are concerns about a perceived blurring of the separation of powers between the force and the PPC. They include from serving Solihull police officers we’ve spoken with.
With crime rising, widespread concern about government funding cuts to forces and the introduction of a West Midlands mayor, the PCC’s role itself will come under increasing public scrutiny.
