FEATURES LIFE AFTER POLICING?
The Federation is arguing for retiring police officers to receive assistance in finding their next career as part of the Police Covenant. The military already has something
similar – with thousands of Armed Forces personnel helped into civilian jobs via a Career Transition Partnership. That support begins in the two years before they are due to end their commission – and continues for two years after. Sarah Johnson from the Police
Federation National Board believes such a service is long overdue for policing – particularly in areas like ill-health retirement. She explains: “I’ve seen colleagues who became ill-health retired and had as little as eight weeks to plan for their future. From the time they saw the Force Medical Officer to the point of retiring there was little or no support. Retiring officers are generally offered only basic advice, primarily, on managing their pension.” A handful of forces are working with
providers, but the picture is “very patchy” across England and Wales, says Sarah, who is a former Chair of Gloucestershire Police Federation and our current Deputy National Treasurer. Close-to 7,000 officers left policing
last year through retirement, resignation or medical retirement. Sarah adds: “All too often officers question their skills and how transferable they are. The reality is that they are
Nick O’Time By Colin Whittock
valuable and can be utilised. Career transition has benefits for forces as well as the individual – as it can involve succession planning, organisational resilience and service to the public with communities benefiting from officers’ next steps.” Former inspector Gareth Keyte is one
success story. He retired from West Mercia Police on ill-health grounds last year and now runs his own training company. He is leading a project to help ex-officers build upon their existing skills to transition into business or the private sector. Gareth, who is a former Royal Marine,
experienced the difference between the career transition support provided by the military to the lack of it in policing. He says: “In the police service, as
soon as you hand in your notice, nothing is provided at all. It’s like an acrimonious split from a long-term partner – that is how it feels. We have policies and procedures in place for absolutely
everything in policing – but as soon as you leave you are on your own. There is no support and I’ve always thought forces are missing a trick.” Sarah and our National Chair John
Apter hosted a roundtable event around this issue in March which was attended by the Home Office and the College of Policing. She adds: “At the moment policing
looks at the military with great envy. The time they give to their people leaving the service and for a time after, makes those servicemen and women feel valued. Although the military system is not perfect, it is so much more advanced that what is currently on offer for police officers. It is imperative this is developed within policing to ensure individuals, forces and communities benefit from a small investment. The Federation looks forward to working with key decision-makers to make this important initiative happen.”
Sarah Johnson Gareth Keyte
09 I POLICE I JUNE 2021
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