Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Saturday 28th July 2012

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

The Home Secretary has been clear that police officers cannot strike. That is not going to change. As a civil emergency service, it is vital that the service is able to discharge its duty to protect the public and keep the peace, at all times, particularly those of serious national and local disorder.

It is important to note that police officers are not the only public servants who face restrictions on taking industrial action. Other workforces such as the armed forces and prison officers are also prohibited from strike action.

The Government has no intention of repealing legislation forbidding police officers from joining unions. The Police Federation of England and Wales was created to represent police officers in response to the prohibition on strike action.

This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.