POLICE officers claim they have been banned from wearing wristbands showing support for soldiers’ charity Help for Heroes.
Furious Avon and Somerset officers contacted the Evening Post to say they had been told the items could cause offence to ethnic minorities or anti-war protesters.
They said it was ludicrous because many officers had previously been members of the Armed Forces.
Avon and Somerset police confirmed the force’s operational department had been asked to smarten up their dress code, which may involve removing “excessive jewellery” and wristbands while on duty. The operational department includes underwater search teams, dog handlers, mounted police, firearms officers, traffic officers, the air support unit and task force teams.
The force also says that officers may be asked to remove Help for Heroes wristbands if they were on duty at specific events where the bands could be deemed not impartial.
This advice was given to those officers on duty at the recent General Election leaders’ debate at the Arnolfini, which was picketed by protesters, including anti-war campaigners.
But the constabulary insists there has been no force-wide directive specifically banning Help for Heroes wristbands and says it is proud to support the charity, which helps wounded British servicemen and women.
The officers who contacted the Post insist they were specifically told they could not wear wristbands while on duty indicating support for Help for Heroes and another charity, Afghan Heroes, which sends parcels to troops in Afghanistan.
One officer, who asked not to be named, said: “The directive came out of a management meeting on Monday saying that serving officers can no longer wear wristbands showing their support for Help for Heroes. “Officers were told that it was for fear of upsetting ethnic communities or anti-war protesters.
“This is absolutely ludicrous and I think it’s disgusting. I think we should support our troops and be seen to support our troops. A lot of police officers are ex-soldiers themselves. “I know as serving officers we have to support our Government but on a personal level we should be able to support the troops and be seen to support them.”
Another said: “These wristbands are a symbol of our support and pride in the work carried out by our Armed Forces.” He added: “They’re not meant to glorify any conflict, or show any sign of political support. “With the banning of these wristbands, what will follow? Will we no longer be allowed to wear the Poppy?”
A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset police said: “If they are manning a protest against the war, officers need to be seen as impartial and would be asked not to wear Help for Heroes wristbands but it is only on occasions like that.”
The force previously said it actively encouraged officers to wear poppies in the run-up to Remembrance Day in a statement, which added: “Some officers have been asked by their supervisers to smarten up their dress code, which may involve removing excessive jewellery and other wristbands while on duty.
“Avon and Somerset is proud to support the Help for Heroes and Poppy Appeal charities and has done so for a number of years.”
Bryn Parry, founder of Help for Heroes, said he respected the uniform policies of all employers but he hoped that, when possible, members of staff who wanted to show their support, would be allowed to do so.
● Help for Heroes wristbands bearing the three colours of the forces – red (Army), dark blue (Navy) and light blue (RAF) – help people show their support for the troops.
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