THE CHAIR ANSWERS <<< Continued from p17
think that’s a very important development as well.
JA: What we want is consistency. Judges and magistrates need to know what the evidence is, and they need to know the impact. Body-worn video is something I’m passionate about. Our critics historically wanted us to have it because they felt we were all corrupt and did our jobs badly. What BWV actually shows is how brilliant the vast majority of our interactions with the public are. I get frustrated, especially on social media where we see snippets of video vilifying our colleagues who are doing a difficult job. Policing is slow to add the context to these allegations and slow to release body-worn video which will show that context. I know there are legal issues, but I’ve been working with you on this and think we found a bit of a compromise. What are your thoughts?
AM: When we were working together in Hampshire, we became the first force in England and Wales to personally issue body-worn cameras. Some of the benefits were unexpected, including the way officers used the cameras like movie producers to show injuries. It truly has been a game changer. I think the antidote to mistrust is openness and transparency and the cameras give that. Nowadays, I rarely commend officers without having the privilege of watching what they’re doing on body-worn video. I am in complete awe of colleagues who run towards danger and I’ve shown this material to politicians who
leave their jaw on the table.
We’ve done some great work together about how we can release BWV. We’ve rewritten guidance to give forces a very clear idea of what they’re meant to consider before they release BWV to media. I’m pleased to say some forces have picked it up – West Mids does it a lot, I’ve seen the Met doing it, and my own force does it. We need to encourage this – the law does allow us to do more.
JA: I couldn’t agree more. Both the Police Federation and the NPCC need to encourage them. I’ve always said over the past decade the two things that have fundamentally improved officer safety, transparency and scrutiny for police officers have been Taser and BWV. I see these going hand in hand, so I do thank you for the work you’ve done on this.
AM: I learned from the way you managed yourself in Hampshire, that if Federation reps in every force want to see more material released earlier, then they should squeeze the elbow of their chief and build a relationship with their corporate communications team. They should suggest: ‘why don’t we do this?’ I look at body-worn video footage pretty much every day, and I love seeing police officers doing a fantastic job and I will take the time to ring them or send them a message to say how in awe I am of what they did.
JA: I can’t finish without talking about your retirement. There seems to be a load of chief constables who are putting
their tickets in – almost a third of chief officers. Why do you think this is and what are your plans for the future? Is there a big retirement home being built for retired chief constables to watch Love Island and play golf?
AM: Well, I’m very proud of the fact I’ve been chief in two forces. That’s an unusual thing, and I’ve served as chief almost nine years, so I feel I’ve done a good shift. It’s a good time – with a new Police and Crime Commissioner – to hand over to a new chief to build a relationship and set direction for the Force. I don’t know why others are retiring, but that’s why I’m going. I’m looking at making a contribution to communities and society. And, in terms of that big retirement home, I mean, I’m not interested in that, nor golf, but I am interested in sharing an executive box at Liverpool Football Club if there are any chiefs or Federation members who want to chip in!
JA: We will start a fund and see whether we get the money! Thank you so much for joining us Chief Constable Andy Marsh. Whatever your future holds, on behalf of policing, I wish you all the best. You’ve made an important and valuable contribution not only to policing, but more importantly to our members. I thank you.
AM: John, policing is my passion, and a lifetime’s vocation. The people in it are truly jaw-dropping and remarkable, and it will be a privilege always to be part of the police family.
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
Q1: I’ve been a special for six years, averaging 40 hours per month. There is no incentive for me to leave my job to join, will this ever be looked at? If the incentive is money that can’t be changed at the moment, but we can try to make the process less bureaucratic. I couldn’t be clearer in my support for Specials. I’ve long been a campaigner for them to have a louder voice and be represented by the Federation, and the law is now changing to allow that to happen. When it does, we will be in a really good place to give that extra support.
THE CHAIR 18 I POLICE I JUNE 2021
ANSWERS PFEW National Chair John Apter answers members’ questions in each edition.
Q2: Why haven’t politicians been called out for their comments on the London protests? Why don’t you stand up for Met ofcers? I do constantly – I stand up for all ofcers. The problem is I can put out five press releases and the press won’t pick them up. I do what I can, including speaking out on social media and our own channels.
Q3: I am sure that plenty of citizens would support an automatic prison sentence for anyone attacking emergency workers – what do you think? We’ve made a lot of progress on this, and the sentencing is going to be increased under the
new policing bill. That’s not enough though. What matters is what the sentencing guidelines say. That’s why we want everybody to raise it with their MPs and challenge the out of date, not fit for purpose guidelines. That’s what I’m doing.
Q4: In the current climate surely police could piggy-back the NHS argument and request that all public sector workers get a pay rise? Speaking for police ofcers, I completely agree. The pay freeze was unfair and unjust especially given what’s been expected of colleagues over the past year. We are still submitting a pay award through our pay mechanism, that’s all we can do. We’re not sitting back and doing nothing. We are making the case for a pay rise and doing everything we can to push for it.
Have you a question to ask John Apter? Email:
editor@polfed.org
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