MUTUAL AID
shoulder, yet could be receiving different rates of pay and allowances outside of police regs because your chief or mine think it’s the right thing to do. “In 2022, we played an instrumental role in helping the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) deliver a new framework – which was signed by all 43 chief constables. The framework is an agreement between NPCC and forces as to how decisions around mutual aid deployments will be negotiated, agreed and then communicated, with the aim of achieving a greater degree of consistency and fairness for every officer deployed. “We are also pushing to improve this
“More must be done to prevent people from falling through the cracks when they return to their home force,” Steve explained. “If an officer is injured, or uses significant force on someone, there is a mechanism in place to capture that. But if it’s their first deployment and they’re new to the mutual aid world and/or witnessed
would be looking to deliver a mix of online and in person sessions, covering off key sections around rules, regulations and allowances, and how to make use of the tactical directory. “The benefit of having both reps and
“Asides from looking after the welfare of colleagues, fair remuneration is crucial. Our biggest issue surrounding this has been inconsistencies, which are damaging and divisive.”
outdated and not fit for purpose allowance.” PFEW has recently submitted proposals
to the Police Consultative Forum. Proposals include splitting the existing overnight away from home allowance (£50 in respect of every night on which they are held in reserve) into three separate allowances – one for having to stay away from home, another for being held in reserve and a third for hardship of accommodation. Additionally, any payments should reflect rises in the cost of living and inflation, and allowances should not be co-dependent. Currently officers are not entitled to the hardship allowance unless they are awarded the overnight allowance first. A tactical directory is also being developed by the Federation to assist all parties with the planning of mutual aid operations, which is essentially a complete shopping list of all the wellbeing matters that should be considered when officers are deployed and the current PFEW stance on the matter.
a lot of conflict on the deployment itself, there isn’t anything in place to check in on them and their mental health. “We think there is a blind spot there and we are doing a piece of work with NPoCC to fill that gap and connect the dots, so officers who have gone through challenging deployments are cared for the whole way and everything is signposted, so they can continue to provide their services in the future.” The tactical directory will be kept up to
date by PFEW and will be available online for commanders and Mutual Aid Liaison Officers (MALOs) to download and print so they can refer to the notes throughout, and after, operations. To complement this, a new training package for Fed reps is being devised, with the aim of extending it to MALOs to professionalise the role. “From our continuous work and experience in this field, we have identified a gap in the training market as there is currently no standardised approach,” Steve explained. “It’s early doors, but PFEW
MALOs together would be to provide each other an understanding of what their roles entail, which forms a solid base to set good practice in motion.” With demand on police forces remaining high, and budgets being squeezed, forces are increasing their mutual aid deployments, added Steve.
“Look at the Met,” he said.
“It was almost unheard of them utilising mutual aid. If this is the future of mutual aid, it is increasingly important we get this right as every penny is being scrutinised. We also have to make sure things aren’t levelled down to the lowest denominator at the expense of officers, their experience and their treatment while deployed.”
THE FEDERATION IS CONTINUING TO CALL FOR:
• All members to be accommodated in a three-star venue as a minimum,
• Splitting the existing overnight away from home allowance (£50 in
in a single occupancy room, and, if these standards are not met, they should receive a hardship allowance.
• Any payments should reflect rises in the cost of living and inflation.
• Personal protective equipment policy regards non carriage while
the hardship allowance unless they are awarded the overnight allowance first.
• Suitable laundry facilities when deployed for longer than seven
off duty, suitable storage when deployed on mutual aid and suitable refreshment facilities so PPE can be safely removed while resting.
days on mutual aid, or recourse to an allowance akin to incidental allowances when on residential training courses, if not supplied.
25 | POLICE | APRIL | 2024
respect of every night on which they are held in reserve) into three separate allowances – one for having to stay away from home, another for being held in reserve and a third for hardship of accommodation.
• Allowances not to be co-dependent. Currently officers are not entitled to
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