"I Still Suffer From This Invisible Enemy" - Police Chief Shares Covid-19 Experience

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Miller, who leads the Covid-19 response for Surrey Police and Sussex Police, says he still suffers symptoms after testing positive for the virus six weeks ago.

ACC Miller has not only been leading Operation Apollo since February 2020, he also has the responsibilities of Chair of the Sussex Resilience Forum (SRF).

SRF is a multi-agency partnership including local authorities, emergency services, the NHS, volunteers and other key agencies which prepares, responds to and recovers from emergencies and major incidents.

In an open letter, Dave has shared his experience of Covid-19 and the past 12 months.

He said he still suffers with coughing fits and fatigue from the 'invisible enemy' today, after testing positive six weeks ago with his immediate family.

Dave wrote:

"We could never have imagined what we are faced by now - our country, gripped by a disease which is not only controlling lives, it’s taking them too.

"All of us have been seriously affected by Covid – whether that’s contracting the disease, lockdown, being furloughed, or losing someone."

He said he remembers thinking back to this time last year and how the word 'coronavirus' had little meaning to his daily life, but nevertheless police prepared themselves for the 'worst case scenario'.

What what came was something quite different.

David added that he's seen many people impacted directly by the virus:

"I have a brother who is working exhaustingly to keep a care team running in Brighton; watching him struggle as they attempt to provide 24/7 care to people who desperately need it. 

"As a school governor and father, I too am experiencing the challenges parents are facing as yet again they are asked to balance work and childcare at short notice. 

"Like many of us, I have friends in the NHS and hear how very difficult it has been and continues to be for them, their patients and families.

"None of us are immune. None of us. And seems to be a complete lottery as to how we'll be affected. We can all contract it and pass it on, some of us without even knowing we are doing it."

ACC Miller said his role at the SRF has allowed him to see everyone working to battle the virus, including NHS staff, teachers, social workers, fire fighters and people working to ensure the supply of PPE.

Over the last twelve months things have changed for ACC Miller.

He wrote:

"While I knew this was coming, I was concerned, not fearful. Now I am.

"I am worried for the people who are vulnerable; for the elderly.

"I fear for our children and the lack of socialisation they are experiencing. I worry for the long-term impact of Covid on myself and my family. But most of all, I worry about the people who are not adhering to the guidelines – the ones not concerned by police enforcement or social responsibility.

"The ones where even the pain and suffering that this horrible virus is inflicting on humanity isn’t enough to prevent them from taking responsibility and keeping each other safe."

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Martin Hewitt, Chair of National Police Chiefs Council, said this week that the vast majority of people are law abiding.

ACC Miller added that the vast majority of people in Sussex listen, accept the advice and take personal responsibility to play their part when it is needed most.

But some don't:

"Yet sadly there is still a minority who think the law, and the guidance, does not apply to them. We are in a third national lockdown.  Our excess death rate has risen to its highest level since World War Two. And the infection rate continues to climb exponentially.

"It is therefore not ok to be reckless or irresponsible because we are tired, frustrated, bored.  I know it’s difficult, but it’s just not acceptable to bend the rules, even slightly.  I say that as a neighbour, member of the public, father, friend and also as a senior police leader.

"Which is why, as the police service, we will continue to support our healthcare colleagues by doing all that we can to keep people safe and prevent deaths. We will continue to adopt an approach which centres on engagement, explaining and encouragement, imploring people to make good choices.  

For those who blatantly disregard the rules, we will ensure they are dealt with when justified, necessary and proportionate because they are putting others at risk. 

"People are dying and that’s not acceptable."  

Rounding up, ACC Miller said to expect police to be interacting more with people and asking more questions, to encourage the public to consider their actions.

He said:

"As police officers we swear to protect life first and foremost. Which is why when every unnecessary contact is a possible infection, another hospital bed and potentially another life lost, we will do all that we can to play our part in stopping this virus.

"We ask that you do the same – stay home, save lives, protect our NHS."