Claims police boots are leaving officers with blisters, soreness and discomfort while on duty
A review into police footwear has been called for – amid claims that officers' feet were being damaged by uncomfortable boots.
West Midlands Police Federation wants the force to examine claims that protective boots were leaving officers suffering blisters, soreness and discomfort while on duty.
The boots – worn by the force's 2,000 public order trained officers – feature steel toe-caps, steel soles and built-in rigid metatarsal protectors.
Federation health and safety lead Deano Walker said the footwear had proved unpopular and called for a review. He said some officers were looking to source their own boots after being left with foot injuries after wearing the ones issues by the force.
Mr Walker said an initial plea for officers to contact him with complaints about the boot had not reached the threshold required to press for a change of brand.
He said: "Emails went to every department across the Force asking officers who are public order trained.
"I got 45 replies. Three were positive from members who said the boots were fine for them but the others all said the same thing – they were causing soreness and discomfort. Some contained photos of feet with blisters and I was quite concerned by some of the injuries I saw."
He added: "Due to the small number of replies received it would not justify a request to the force to replace or even consider replacing the boot.
"There are around 2,000 public order trained officers within WMP, changing the current boot for 42 officers could possibly trigger issues for those officers comfortable in the current boot."
Mr Walker said West Midlands Police had agreed to go back to the manufacturer "to ask if they have any instructions, guidance and advice on how to use them, such as how to lace them up, whether an insole is needed or whether they should be worn with a cotton or nylon sock.
