REPS @ WORK
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Helping others is part of the DNA of a police ofcer. So why not take the next step and help your colleagues as a Police Federation rep? Elections are taking place this year, and your local branch can answer any questions you have about applying. Some of our existing reps share their experiences here…
Inspector Suzie Vranch has been with Devon and Cornwall Police for 15 years and has been a Fed rep for four years. She explains: “When I was young in service, I encountered workplace bullying which greatly impacted my progression as a detective. I did not know how to deal with the situation; I felt alone and saw no way out. My self-esteem and my career dreams appeared shattered. “The Federation supported me through this challenge by providing a listening ear without judgement, giving me options and, more importantly, assisting at my own pace.” As Suzie has developed as a supervisor, she increasingly recognises how
officers and staff are the bedrock of the organisation – if they are not looked after it affects their resilience and performance. Low-level issues around working conditions can have big consequences for officers but when the Federation intervenes to find pragmatic solutions, officers and the organisation benefit. She adds: “I became a Fed rep to be a role model and an advocate for officers in their times of need. The Federation has given me the confidence to do this with the exceptional support I’ve had from my branch colleagues and the training provided at Leatherhead.”
DC Iain Prideaux became an Avon and Somerset Federation rep to help make his force a more equal place. “Equality is in my heart,” he says, adding that a lot of his work as a rep is relationship-based. “Empathy plays a very big role. Developing an ability to articulate the detrimental effects of a management or force policy on an officer, can often take courage and moves me out of my lived experience. It feels great when you can resolve cases without going to tribunal.”
Ian is proud of his work in encouraging the use of a wellbeing passport in his force so if reasonable working adjustments are agreed in one role those adjustments can stay in place if the officer moves to a different post. This not only benefits officers with a disability, it’s there for anyone, for example, those going through the menopause or someone requiring flexible working.
30 I POLICE I JUNE 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
