REPS SPOTLIGHT QUIET DEDICATION
DC Joe Sanderson Named Federation Rep of the Year at this year’s Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards
In a policing world often defined by high stakes, intense scrutiny and constant pressure, some people make an impact simply by being consistently, quietly present. DC Joe Sanderson is one of those people. This year, that quiet reliability earned him the title of Federation Rep of the Year at the 2025 Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards. Joe’s colleagues describe him as the person you call when everything is falling apart. In fact, one colleague who nominated him said: “Joe is passionate about supporting officers, often giving up his own time and showing flexibility to do this. He never seeks the limelight but is always someone that we can all rely on.” Joe joined Avon & Somerset Police in 2009, originally working on a response team before becoming a neighbourhood beat manager and eventually moving into CID. Today, he serves on Operation Bluestone, investigating rape and sexual assaults, a demanding and emotionally complex area of policing. Seven years ago, he put himself forward as a Federation representative. The motivation, he says, came from frustration with how officers were sometimes treated when under scrutiny. Avon and Somerset Police Federation
“When a cop’s in trouble, I want to help.” Joe’s approach to representation is simple: be there. Really be there. “Conduct is the only work I’ve done within
the Federation. When a cop’s in trouble, I want to help them through that process, irrespective of whether or not they’ve done it,” he says. His trademark “call anytime” support isn’t
a slogan, it’s a genuine offer. “I’m a constant bit of support that
isn’t a changing manager or a changing Occupational Health nurse,” Joe explains. “I don’t say: ‘I’m on duty and then I’m not on duty’. People can contact me day or night, and I’ll try to help.” He believes this consistency matters because the support officers receive from the organisation can be unpredictable. “Line managers change, occupational health professionals change, none are available
“I’m not sure I do anything special. I explain my role, reiterate that I’m available at any time and let them use me as much as they need to.”
Chair Tom Gent said, “Our award recognises not just dedication, but the courage to stand alongside colleagues during such tough times. Our Rep of the Year embodies that spirit and is someone that we know our members can rely on to support them during the most difficult moments. “We are proud to celebrate Joe who, like
many of our workplace reps, prefers to stay out of the limelight. His impact has been profound, and his humility only strengthens the respect he commands.” “What first motivated me,” Joe explains,
“was a view that police officers were being investigated in an unfair and biased way.” He was particularly drawn to the conduct side of Federation work. “I was keen to robustly challenge poor investigation practices,” he says, a mission that continues to drive him.
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around the clock. The ability to call and vent or have someone answer questions can make a massive difference when someone is suspended or under investigation.” Joe has worked with countless officers
through the most stressful moments of their careers. The biggest challenges, he says, are often personal and deeply human. When asked what he thinks the biggest
challenges officers face when going through misconduct and welfare issues, he said: “The most impactive thing is the fear of not being able to provide for your family and the fear of being publicly named and shamed,” he says. “Investigations can be slow, incredibly slow and that just exacerbates everything.” Building trust with officers who are
anxious, fearful, or embarrassed isn’t something he overthinks. “I’m not sure I do anything special,” he says with characteristic modesty. “I explain my role, reiterate that I’m available at any time, and let them use me as much as they need to.”
His advice to any officer hesitant to
contact the Federation is clear: don’t confuse local support with national politics. “There’s a difference between the political side of the Federation and the workplace side,” he says. “People can feel strongly about national decisions, but that’s completely separate from how they’ll be supported locally by colleagues who just want to help them through a difficult process.” Despite the depth of his work, Joe prefers to keep a low profile. Winning the award came as a surprise. “I try to stay away from the limelight,” he says. “The things I’m proudest of, I can’t really talk about because they relate to cops having a horrible time. So, this award was a nice surprise. It’s something I enjoy doing, and it’s nice to know other people are pleased with what I do.” Above all, the messages he received
afterwards meant the most. “Most rewarding were the messages from people I have previously represented.” Supporting officers through grief, fear,
shame, or trauma can take a toll. For Joe, wellbeing comes from home. “I have a very understanding family, who I
love to spend time with,” he says simply. Joe encourages others to step forward. “Do it. You will absolutely not regret it,” he says. And as for what keeps him going after seven years, “The same reason I started,” he says. “A belief that investigation processes are unfair, unbalanced, and sometimes motivated by the wrong thing.” His work may be quiet and mostly unseen, but its impact resonates loudly across the force — especially for those who’ve needed him most.
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