NEWS
A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A FED REP
Hertfordshire Police Federation rep, James Stopford, offers a glimpse behind the scenes of Police Federation work
For many police officers, a Federation representative is a trusted source of advice, support and representation during some of the most challenging moments of their careers. Whether assisting with misconduct matters, welfare concerns, attendance issues or legal support, Federation reps work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure officers have a voice. No two days are ever the same. One day may involve representing a member in a formal meeting, while the
of the role. Here, he takes us through a typical week, although, as you’ll discover, there is no such thing as a typical week in federation work.
JAMES HIGHLIGHTS HIS WEEK: My first week back after annual leave began with a feeling familiar to many
“In policing, gambling addiction
representatives gain experience through Branch Council, the Board is a smaller group responsible for directing the work of our principal officers and identifying key actions we want to progress before the next meeting. These discussions often influence
can often be the overlooked addiction because it is so easy to hide.”
next could be spent visiting police stations, advising officers, attending strategic board meetings or responding to urgent welfare calls in the middle of the night. James Stopford, an elected full-time
Federation representative, is one of those people. Regularly sharing insights and reflections on his LinkedIn page, James provides an honest look at the realities
08 | POLICE | JUNE | 2026
people, wondering whether I needed more time off already. Monday started with our Branch Board meeting, where we received important updates from Local Chair Luke Mitchell and Secretary Dean Cornish, alongside national developments from Police Federation representative Tom Arthur. Branch Board meetings play a crucial role in shaping our priorities. While
conversations with senior leaders, including meetings with the Chief Constable. We regularly leave with actions to complete and report back on through our action tracker, ensuring progress is monitored and delivered.
On Tuesday, I spent time at Hemel Hempstead Police Station, meeting teams and encouraging officers from the Response Team to consider becoming work-based Federation representatives when recruitment opens later this year. It was also an exciting day as I had the opportunity to meet Anesu Mlauzi from PFEW HQ. The day also included my annual
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