THE CHAIR ANSWERS


a doubt – it takes ages to get anything done. We first spoke about not just the police uplift, but the Covenant last September. Well, a year later we have the consultation taking place right now. I would have loved to have done that legislation in January – that’s down to events. It does take time to bring about change. But let’s look on the positive about what we have achieved - I hope this will resonate with your members. I want your members, and officers


around the country, to know they have got a Home Secretary, and a Prime Minister and a Government that fully backs them. I know that has not always been the case. But it is my mission, my absolute mission. This isn’t just another politician saying,


‘we back the police.’ This has been hard-wired into our shared ways of working. Also in terms of training, equipment, investment - after far too long we have been able to invest.


“ I want your members, and officers around the country, to know they have got a Home Secretary, and a Prime Minister and a Government that fully backs them”


The key thing is, as you will know, John


- and I hope your members will appreciate this as well - my door is always open. I am one of the most accessible people/politicians out there. It’s about putting people first, and that’s the same as the motivation of our officers and our forces across the country.


JA: I think that accessibility, certainly for me, is so important for our members. When I’m out on patrol with officers, and they tell me their concerns, I can take their concerns directly to the Home Secretary. That’s really powerful. The relationship between the Police Federation and Government some time ago wasn’t great. We’re in a position now where we can constructively disagree – I can raise concerns, and challenge appropriately, and you listen. Thank you Home Secretary for taking


the time to do this interview for our members. The majority of colleagues who we represent will be really reassured by having a supportive Home Secretary. Long may it last.


THE CHAIR ANSWERS


PFEW National Chair John Apter answers members’ questions each month


Q1: Should I be a Police Federation member? I only work 16 hours a week. I feel like I should be supported by the job anyway, so why do I need the Fed? As money gets tight, it is understandable to look closely at every penny you spend. But for what you get in return for your monthly subs, you absolutely should be a member. Policing is dangerous and


unpredictable. Through no fault of your own, you could find yourself subject to a complaint, or investigated for misconduct – it happened to me when I was young in service. In those moments you need the best support and legal cover to back you up, and the Federation provides that. We’re also here to fight to get


you better pay and conditions and improved welfare. Being a member gives you access to a network of support, unparalleled in most other professions.


Q2: What is the Fed doing about the mainstream media’s incessant hate campaign against the police? Like you, I am infuriated when I see the unfair and unjust vilification of hard- working ofcers. I am outspoken about this point in


any media interviews I do and have raised it at the highest levels of Government. I have also written to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing asking for body-worn video to be released much sooner to quash some of the nonsense stories reported recently. Police leaders need to stand up and be counted too, supporting their ofcers.


Q3: Should all UK police ofcers carry Taser if they want to? Yes. Taser is a well proven piece of kit in protecting ofcers and the public. It often results in the peaceful resolution of incidents which could have had a quite diferent outcome without it. I am a passionate believer that police ofcers who want to be trained to use Taser and carry it should be allowed to do so. Without a doubt, Taser has saved lives.


Q4: What are your thoughts on the new entry routes to policing, namely the PCDA and DHEP? We need to be careful about putting up unnecessary barriers to people joining the job. I have been clear I do not think you need to have a degree to be a good police ofcer. However, a formal transferable qualification that recognises the skills and knowledge of police ofcers is something I entirely support. But the bottom line for me is a good police ofcer is someone compassionate, reliable, understanding, and with good nous and an abundance of common sense. Having a degree doesn’t mean you have any of those.


Q5: Is there any update on the timing of when Specials will be allowed to become members of the Police Federation? This is something I have been pushing for since becoming National Chair. Despite Covid, we are anticipating the necessary legislation being brought in during autumn/winter. Everything is on track so, fingers crossed, we hit no issues.


Have you a question to ask John Apter? Email: editor@polfed.org


SEPTEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 21


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