NEWS


STRONG FEDERATION LINKS PRAISED


Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas- Symonds has backed the Federation’s call for the 20,000 uplift in officer numbers to be a starting point and stronger deterrents for those who assault emergency services workers. In an online meeting with the


Federation, the Labour MP for Torfaen responded to questions from John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, and other senior Fed reps on Tuesday 22 September. He said his values of “decency, fairness and respect for the law” were instilled in him when growing up in the South Wales valleys and added that his political strapline is “keeping you, your family and community safe”. To that end, he praised the “amazing, remarkable work” police officers do in ensuring offenders are brought to justice. He added: “I don’t want people to be victims of crime in the first place. So, it’s also got to be about prevention.” The former barrister spoke of going on patrol with police officers while an MP in order to see the realities of policing first-hand. He had also joined a knife sweep in Coventry, ahead of the Labour Party virtual conference. Mr Thomas-Symonds recognised the “difficult thing” police are being


asked to do in policing


the ever-changing picture of Covid-19 restrictions whilst being mindful that regular crime, suppressed during lockdown, is now back as a focus. Mr Apter pointed out that the pandemic and the constantly changing guidelines have added to the pressures on policing, with a balance to be struck between educating and enforcing – particularly since regular crime, suppressed during lockdown, had returned to previous levels.


The uplift of 20,000 officers could


only be a starting point he added, since 50,000 would be needed to replace officers who leave or retire. And they agreed that greater diversity would improve public confidence. The Shadow Home Secretary gave his backing to the Federation’s efforts to ensure the high standard of police driver training is recognised by the law, ending the bizarre situation where they are held to the same standard as an untrained member of the public, and also to our Time Limits campaign to end unnecessarily long misconduct investigations that are damaging to officers’ mental wellbeing and their family.


Police widows launch action over lost pensions


Home Secretary Priti Patel has been served proceedings by the High Court on behalf of spouses of ofcers who have died, who stand to lose survivors’ pensions if they remarry or cohabit with a new partner. The action has been brought by spouses


of former serving ofcers following changes to the Police Pension Regulations. They allege the Government is in breach of the Human Rights Act by forcing them to choose between isolation and financial security. The proceedings are representative of a


significant group of widows and widowers, all of whom will lose their financial lifeline.


Steve Edwards, Chief Executive of the National


Association of Retired Police Ofcers (NARPO), said: “Some are very young with small children when they lose their spouse and to expect them to spend the next 30-plus years alone, depriving them of a father or mother figure and a real family unit is unthinkable.” PFEW’s National Chair, John Apter, added:


“We are united with NARPO and the claimants in their challenge. These brave men and women have worked to keep their communities safe and are often the main breadwinners of the families they leave behind. For this inherent unfairness to continue to exist does a great dishonour to their service and sacrifice.”


NEWS IN BRIEF


WELLBEING POST: Sergeant Sara Goodman has been appointed Health and Wellbeing Lead for West Mercia Police after detailing her own mental health breakdown two years ago for Mental Health Awareness Week this year. She shared her story as part of a social media campaign by the West Mercia Federation. Its Chair, Sarah Cooper, said: “I see it as a real positive in this role to have a level of personal understanding, and we are looking forward to working with Sara on all aspects of wellbeing.”


HOME WORKING INSIGHT: Derbyshire Fed rep TDC Julie Shaw shared her experiences of home working during the pandemic in her branch’s magazine. Speaking about ‘hot desking’ with her husband and teenage daughters, she said: “I really appreciate I have been lucky and not exposed to the risks that front-line section ofcers have faced while they have continued to maintain an efective policing service for our communities.”


GEORGE’S AWARD: George McDonnell, West Midlands Police Federation’s Conduct Lead, has received a Chief Constable’s Award in recognition of his dedication to supporting members. George, a Federation rep for six years, became the Conduct and Performance Lead Ofcer (CAPLO) in June last year, and was presented with the award by Chief Constable Dave Thompson.


REMEMBERING ERNIE: A former Chair of West Midlands Police Federation has paid tribute to Ernie Hanrahan, who was Branch Secretary before serving on the Joint Central Committee, and who died in July. Joe Tildesley, who worked alongside Ernie, said: “For those of us linked to the Police Federation, there is a genuine pang at Ernie’s passing because with him goes the strongest possible connection with so much of our own histories. If God is looking for someone to represent him at his right-hand side, then he has found the right man in Ernie Hanrahan.”


OCTOBER 2020 | POLICE | 07


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