THE NEW LEADERS
Can you tell us about what your new role encompasses? C: I manage the Civil Claims department and Kersten Peters now manages the Criminal Claims department.We manage approximately 10,000 claims on behalf of the members. Around 2,500 sit with the Criminal department and 7,500 sit with me in the Civil department – anything from employment tribunals, personal injury claims for officers and for family members, to civil litigation around regulations and pensions. We deal with judicial reviews, the High Court, the Appeal Court, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. We manage a great team who make all of this work possible.
K: I will be managing Criminal Claims, which means we support officers who require legal funding for conduct and performance, criminal allegations, defamation, inquests, Police Appeals Tribunals and public enquiries, to name a few. I have an amazing Criminal Claims team – they work tirelessly to manage the huge number of claims and without them I wouldn’t be able to do my job.
What are you most looking forward to in this new role?
C: The thing I enjoy most is helping officers. Sometimes we do have to take difficult decisions and say no, because it doesn’t meet our funding criteria, but those that do, that’s what I am passionate about. Police officers sign up to the Fed for our help, so I want to be able to give them that help.
K: Being able to help officers that are at their most vulnerable, when all they have been doing is their job.
What are your top three priorities for the next three years? C: The main one is to continue looking after officers. It’s imperative, whether it’s the claims department, the in-house legal department or the panel firms, that we provide the best service possible. A priority is to manage the budget efficiently, and then we have some priorities internally in the department,
with her now as she has some great new ideas and experience. This has been my day to day for the past four years, so it carries on much the same, just with some new team members. It’s an immense privilege to be on
the National Board and an even bigger privilege to be the Head of Civil Claims, to be able to help the police officers out there when they need us. I joined policing to help people and I still want to help people, but now I do it on behalf of the whole country and our members.
“I have an amazing Criminal Claims team – they work tirelessly and
without them I wouldn’t be able to do my job” – Kersten Peters
mainly around systems and processes and making these the most efficient they can be.
K: Firstly, continuing to provide legal funding to members when they need it the most. We want to improve our systems, so the Claims team can function as efficiently and effectively as possible. Another priority is to improve communications and support the Federation Branch Boards to deliver training around claims. This will allow us to raise awareness and educate officers, to try to stop them falling foul of the Professional Standards, or worse, criminal allegations.
How are you finding the role so far? C: Even after four years, it still surprises me. I have worked with Kersten before, but I am enjoying working more closely
K: Federation work always means surprises and this role is no different. It has definitely been a baptism of fire! I am surrounded by amazing people
who give 100 per cent every day to support officers and it is a brilliant working environment. I am learning new things and being challenged in new and exciting ways. I am really looking forward to working with Craig Hewitt and his amazing team – everyone has just been so supportive so far.
Do you have a message to our members? C: Thank you for all the work you do and continue to do in difficult circumstances. If you ever feel that you need the Federation, don’t hesitate to contact your local branch. We are here to support you because you do a very difficult and amazing job. We know how difficult it is and we want to help.
K: We are here for you and that won’t change. Please look after each other and stay safe.
HOW IS THE NATIONAL BOARD STRUCTURED
The role of the National Board (NB) is to lead and run the Police Federation and to make policy decisions. It is the strategic driver of the organisation, formulating strategy and putting it to the National Council.
The NB is made up of 24 represent- atives from across our eight regions:
•The National Chair - elected by members
•22 individuals (elected by the National Council)
•The National Secretary - appointed by members of the Board
The new National Board officially came into effect from 1 September 2018 replacing the Interim National Board
(INB) which existed during a period of organisational change from 2014. There are eight Principal Officers within the National Board, of which the Chair and National Secretary are two. The remaining roles are National Treasurer, Deputy Chair, Deputy Secretary, Deputy Treasurer, Head of Civil Claims and Head of Criminal Claims.
33 | POLICE | AUGUST 2022
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