THE CHAIR ANSWERS
6: Are we heading for cuts?
JA: We’ve been through a decade of austerity where we have seen fewer police officers and staff, stations closed etc. The announcement about the increase in officers is very welcome but is still not enough. Policing still has the model that the public wants but I fear that if we are squeezed further, it will damage that. What are your thoughts?
MH: You’re exactly right. If we were talking 12 months ago, I would have been incredibly positive because the government is genuinely committed to working with us and is supportive – you know I was as cynical as anybody at the outset around politicians. The world has dramatically changed because of the cost of Covid. There’s this concept of 10 million tests a day by the Spring and that might cost £100 billion to deliver. These numbers are almost impossible to register. I still think there is a determination at the top of government to drive and improve law and order but the reality is that we can’t get away from that the amount of money available is going to be a lot less. And that’s what we got to try, that’s why we’re doing all the work that we’re doing and you will be able to influence from your role in the Federation. We’ve got to keep that pressure on because it is ultimately for the benefit the public. We need to be capable and have enough capacity to do what we’re being asked to do, and as we all know most of the time we get jobs added but we get very few taken away.
7: In another life
JA: I’ve always wanted to be a police officer. If you hadn’t have joined policing what would you have done?
MH: This is my second career in a sense. I was in the army for seven-and-a-bit years until I decided I wanted something more stable. Policing was natural because I wanted to work in a team and do something that wasn’t sitting inside all the time. Ironically that’s what I now do! My children say “you’re not really a police officer you don’t arrest anybody”. If I was doing something different… I like proper investigative journalists who expose where people are doing things wrong. It is investigative and that’s what attracts me.
THE CHAIR ANSWERS
PFEW National Chair John Apter answers members’ questions each month
Q1: Is the job of National Chair what you expected? It’s such a unique role and there’s an awful lot of expectation, rightly so. But I honestly believe I have the best job in policing. I try to be as visible as possible and ensure the voices of the members are heard at the highest levels of government. I take the conversations I have with ofcers directly to the Home Secretary and the media and I work with Fed reps across forces. I realise it might never be enough for some, but I put my heart and soul into the role and will never stop fighting for members.
Q2: What do you think about the negative comments on social media about female police ofcers, bearing in mind some of it is coming from serving ofcers? They’re disgusting, outdated, archaic views, that I do not share. Social media in some areas has become a toxic cesspit. Anyone criticising colleagues for their gender needs to take a strong look at themselves. My tutor constable was female, as are my Chief Constable and DCC. Some of the most efective police ofcers I’ve worked with are female. For negative comments to be made about our female colleagues, often behind a veil of anonymity is a disgrace.
Q3: What can the Federation do about ofcers being unable to take their full holiday entitlement? Where there is unfairness, or if policies have been breached, the Federation will challenge it, but ofcers must do their
bit too. I’m as guilty as anyone for not taking leave. My advice is to plan ahead and book your time of with as much notice as possible. Where there is a local policy for carrying over leave, use it. Policing is tough and we all need to rest and recuperate, whether on a beach or at home. So, I encourage ofcers to take their annual leave and recharge their batteries.
Q4: How can police be expected to enforce new Covid restrictions with no additional resources? With great difculty. We know the pressures we’re under. The demand on policing is back to pre-Covid levels and we’re left spinning many plates. I’ve been relentless in banging on the Home Ofce door to highlight the pressure policing is under. We don’t have enough ofcers and that’s reality, but I’ve got no magic wand to wave and make everything better overnight.
Q5: What can the Federation do to bring about more appropriate and consistent sentencing for assaults on ofcers? This is a real passion of mine. I’ve met with the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Home Secretary and others, and engaged with the Sentencing Council to share our frustrations and anger over the lack of consistency around sentencing. We’re in a better place than we were but it is not perfect. I will be relentless in continuing to push for legislative change to bring about tougher sentences for those who assault emergency service workers. That must go hand in hand with fit-for-purpose sentencing guidance.
Have you a question to ask John Apter? Email:
editor@polfed.org
OCTOBER 2020 | POLICE | 13
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
