NEWS


READY FOR ANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR


National Chair Steve Hartshorn reflects on the milestones of 2023


and reiterates PFEW’s resolve to adopt changes needed to uphold welfare of officers in England and Wales


difficulties we have faced as an organisation during the past year. We have had to deal with the serious repercussions of decisions taken by the organisation a number of years ago and are doing so to bring those events to an end so we can rebuild trust and pride. The pension discrimination Employment Tribunal judgment published earlier this year made difficult, disappointing, and shocking reading. It clearly highlighted past organisational failings, but I’m reassured that the processes and practices now in place mean that will not happen again. Earlier this year,


At the outset, I want to thank the thousands of police officers across the country who are working right now against all odds – keeping our communities safe and putting their lives on the line for others. My colleagues who


are giving the job their all, run ragged as they deal with call after call, investigate incident after incident, looking after victims of crime and catching criminals.


non-partisan think-tank, Social Market Foundation, published an independent study finding that police pay is at least 17 per cent behind where it should be. It was encouraging to see the


“Next year might see one of the biggest downslides in UK’s policing history as the draconian changes to police officer dismissal process becomes effective”


This is because it could easily be


forgotten when you watch or read the news, as all the good feels wiped out by the isolated stories that detract from the real work police officers do. So, to my hard-working colleagues keeping the public safe and to those who support us, thank you. I would like to acknowledge the


04 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2023


Government take note of it and accept the Police Remuneration Review Body’s recommendation of a 7 per cent pay uplift across all ranks. It’s a small step in the right direction and, as part of our Fair Pay campaign, continue to influence the Government for a fair and independent pay mechanism for police officers. A mechanism that is not constrained by remits set by government


and whose recommendations are binding, a mechanism that takes account of our unique employment status and the restrictions on our public and private lives. As an organisation, we have for the first time in many years initiated discussions about seeking greater industrial rights for officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector in England and Wales (you can read more about this in the following pages). We have seen the industrial unrest this year and seen how it has helped some unions lever greater negotiation with government. I don’t know where these conversations will lead, and it is entirely for the membership to determine our direction. But be assured, this comes because our members feel there has been a real breakdown in the special relationship that has existed between governments of all political colours and the police. Next year might see one of the biggest downslides in UK’s policing history as the draconian changes to police officer dismissal process becomes effective. The changes are aimed at appeasing many chief officers who have used the public mood to seek to regain sweeping powers of hire and fire at will. We are actively engaging with the Home Office to address some of the very valid concerns of officers who rightly feel the changes would lead to injustice.


As you are aware, there is no formal state recognition when


someone dies doing their job keeping our communities safe and protecting the public. Our Medals For Heroes campaign, asking for a posthumous award for emergency service workers killed in the line of duty, awaits sanction. I am assured there is political will to establish the award and I remain hopeful of its announcement in the New Year.


Our #SimplifyDG6 campaign, which


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