THE DEPUTY CHAIR ANSWERS
Local Police Federation offices offer a range of courses and support, so it is worth seeing what is available locally if you are in this position.
With voluntary police leavers increasing by nearly 200% in the last decade, what is the Federation doing to understand the reasons why? And how can it improve retention rates? Running regular surveys of members gives PFEW valuable information to talk to chief officers and the Government about the reasons why. In recent years, in addition to work being undertaken by forces and the College of Policing, PFEW has been conducting new starter and leaver surveys, which give a clear picture as to how the aspirations and views of officer’s change from when they begin to when they leave. We use this evidence base to feed into discussions about police officer pay and conditions of service.
What is the federation doing to push for an answer from the Home Office about long service medals? Recently John Partington, Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) national lead for honours and awards, has been working actively to address this request for acknowledgement with the Home Office alongside Paul Griffiths OBE from the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA).
be times when more specialist provision is needed – which is why we have a Welfare Support Programme (WSP) in place.
• Practical and mental support • Clinical assessment and dedicated counselling
The WSP has been extended for another 12 months thanks to its continued success over the last two years and provides invaluable support. The service is provided by Defence Medical Welfare Service and provides support such as:
• Person-centred support (via telephone or face-to-face)
• Access to fully trained and accredited professionals
• Independent and confidential support • Referrals to appropriate follow-on specialist support
Members who feel they need the support should contact their local Federation Rep if they feel they are struggling and
GBHing a skipper and breaking his eye socket. Is there really no punishment for assaulting police anymore?! In July 2021 a new legislation came into effect doubling the amount of time of sentencing from 12 months to two years for anyone who assaults a police officer. Unfortunately, though there have been many incidences where the perpetrator didn’t receive the maximum amount or is offered a suspended sentence, this can be down to several factors, such as technicalities, not enough evidence, or inaccuracies during the trial. It is incredibly important for officers
who have witnessed an assault on another officer to come forward to help support the victim to secure a prosecution. However, when a weak sentence is awarded, this can have a detrimental
“Attacking an officer or any emergency worker is totally unacceptable, they are human beings who have families, some having very young children”
As a result of his hard work, changes have now been made to the Royal Warrant for all federated officers. This ultimately means police officers will receive an additional ‘bar’ when they reach 30 years’ service and a second bar for 40 years’ service, which is a really positive outcome for recognition.
You can find more information around this here
www.polfed.org/news/ latest-news/2023/additional-service- bar-for-police-long-service-and-good- conduct-medal/
Increasing peer support networks are being developed to support officers with health, wellbeing, and balancing family life with their unique role. Are there any funding streams that can be accessed via the Fed to support this type of work? The mental health of our members is critical, we want to make sure that no officer is struggling. However, there may
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need support. Their situation will then be filtered, and the correct course of action to help the officer in question will then be determined, including the level of support that needs to be offered, all of which is included within the Police Federation membership.
What is the Fed doing about ever- increasing weak sentencing for violent offenders who assault police? A male in my force area was given a one-year sentence, suspended for two years, for
effect on the officers’ wellbeing, that’s why the Police Federation works with a number of third-party agencies such as Operation Hampshire that offer fantastic support to officers who have been assaulted. There is also the right to appeal in certain circumstances. However there are strict guidelines to the appeal that have been done by a number of Chiefs in a few circumstances. Attacking an officer or any
emergency worker is totally unacceptable; they are human beings who have families. Judges and magistrates must use the new sentencing guidelines being introduced in July (
polfed.org).
When will we hear about the pay award? The Home Secretary receives the recommendation from the Police Remuneration Review Body in May/June and then usually announces the police pay award in July, with any pay award being effective from 1 September that year.
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