SESSIONS
RETIREMENT: TRANSITION INTO THE UNKNOWN
What lies beyond policing and where to seek financial and wellbeing advice
Experts, in the session sponsored by Metfriendly, provided reassurance to police officers close to, or worried about, retirement and gave insights into what the future may hold.
The introduction from Sam Hawkins,
secretary, treasurer and equality lead of Norfolk Police Federation, who has been in service for 33 years and is approaching retirement, set the scene for an informal discussion. Sam noted: “Whichever route you take out of the organisation, life and opportunity does not cease. We will all know officers who have been dismissed, chosen to leave, been medically retired, or retired after full service, who have all gone onto be successful in their careers and lives outside of policing. Conversely, we will all know officers who have struggled with leaving the service and transitioning into the unknown.” Rachel Roberts, counsellor and trauma
advisor for South Wales Police, was at pains to point out change leads to opportunity and experiences. “It is inevitable and really presents a
chance for growth and development, so it should be embraced and welcomed. But to help prepare there is nothing wrong with discussing fears and anxieties.” Another guest speaker, retired police officer and former PFEW National Board member, Dave Bamber, talked candidly about his experience being recently retired and said: “I did have anticipation about leaving. To give up my warrant card was a big thing - it was my identity. When we give it in, our license to practice has gone.” To offer financial advice and explain some of the options available, two guest speakers from Metfriendly, Neil Ambrose, team field manager, and Nick Walter, retired police officer and pension lead, spoke about their work, the available
products and the advice their organisation can provide to those looking to understand not just about police pensions, but their complete financial wellbeing. They explained individual counselling sessions are available within 12/18 months of retirement. Metfriendly also offers a retirement seminar that they encouraged all to join as it covers pensions, finance, legal aspects and future careers advice. At the end of the session, the discussion
naturally turned to what comes after policing for those that want to work again. The scary thought of writing a CV was also
raised. Rachel went on to point out: “Write a list of the skills gained in all your years as a police officer. This is a great exercise in recognition and confidence building.”
Police officers will be given a voice in the matter PFEW TO BALLOT MEMBERS ON
PURSUING INDUSTRIAL RIGHTS
The Police Federation of England and Wales will be balloting the membership on pursuing industrial rights in the near future. National Deputy Secretary Gemma
Fox first provided background on decisions made so far, highlighting that, in 2021, PFEW withdrew from the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) due to a number of concerns. “It comes down to the degradation in police pay over a number of years now, and a desire for there to be a pay mechanism that is fair,” she said. “We feel the PRRB is restrictive, and the pay review body is ultimately controlled by the Home Office. The ability of the remit letter being set, and the scope being set by the Home Office is a real concern for us – we feel there is too much interference to the pay review process. We do not have confidence in a system that is supposed to be impartial and independent, and recognising the position policing is in.”
14 | POLICE | SPECIAL EDITION | 2023
Police pay is currently an outlier amongst other protective services workers and public sector, likely being negatively impacted due to police inability to strike or have access to any form of industrial rights, according to independent research by non-partisan think tank Social Market Foundation (SMF). England and Wales used to have a
Police Negotiating Board (PNB), which is still present in Scotland, however, it was abolished between 2013-2014. Calum Steele, former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, championed the benefits of being in face-to-face discussions with the PNB, describing it as a powerful tool. “While it would be disingenuous to say the system is perfect, it is head and shoulders above the situation where you have a PPRB in England and Wales,” he explained.
Deputy National Chair Tiff Lynch
outlined it is “not going to be a quick fix”, but reassured members PFEW will be open and transparent throughout this process. “We want to take members on the journey with us,” she said. From a legal perspective on industrial
rights, Lord John Hendy KC explained unions can currently apply to an employer to be recognised for collective bargaining over pay and holidays, and if the employer refuses, the union can go to a body called the Central Arbitration Committee which can order the employer to collectively bargain on those subjects.
Although police officers do not fit in within the statutory definition of those workers eligible under that legal scheme, he explained there is a case currently before the Supreme Court involving Deliveroo drivers, whereby it is argued national law should be interpreted more broadly to deliver on international rights.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
