Page 23 - WMPF Federation DEC 2019-flip_Neat

New conduct regs come into

effect in February

The new conduct regulations due to come workplace because it is often the case that Integrity Unit, said PSDs are currently
into effect in February next year should different supervisors and managers will have flooded with low-level cases and around 70
further embed the new approach to dealing differing opinions on what they see as per cent of misconduct hearing outcomes
with low-level matters and empower low-level. end in management action anyway.
supervisors and managers to have the “I acknowledge the criteria for this The proportion of cases dealt with
confidence to handle these issues, says West decision-making should make it all the through misconduct processes also varies
Midlands Police Federation conduct lead easier to identify but there was caution greatly across forces, but many direct a vast
George McDonnell. around matters being sent to be looked at majority of cases through misconduct
George attended the Police Federation of by PSD Appropriate Authorities and that proceedings regardless of how low-level
England and Wales (PFEW) Conduct and actually sit somewhere in the middle. The they are. This puts officers through
Performance Liaison Officers’ Seminar in question will always be asked as to why a unnecessary stress, he added.
Liverpool in October where, as part of certain matter was decided upon to be dealt The issue of protracted investigations
preparations for the introduction of the new with in the misconduct arena when, in was also raised with the Home Office stating
regulations, reflective practice was one of actual fact, it could have been suitable for it is working on ensuring timeliness is
the main themes discussed by conduct leads reflective practice.” improved in the future.
from across the country. Nevertheless, George said the Federation l The Police Federation will be lobbying
“There were inputs from the Home is ‘cautiously optimistic’ that the number of Parliament for a change in the law to apply a
Office, the Independent Office for Police low-level cases brought into the realm of 12-month time limit for prosecuting police
Conduct and Professional Standards misconduct will reduce due to a more officers with appropriate safeguards. “We
Departments (PSDs), all explaining how pragmatic approach. are still seeing far too many investigations
reflective practice might work and what the He concluded: “It goes without saying, dragging on for months and sometimes
Federation, as the staff association, can we are all striving to become better at what years, putting officers – and their families
expect going forward,” George explained. we do. Hopefully, the new regulations and - under untold stress and causing immense
“There were clear references to the increased use of reflective practice will mental anguish,” says Steve Grange,
embracing this new way of dealing with be a good thing for our colleagues but it will secretary of West Midlands Police
low-level matters and empowering just take some time to adjust and have Federation, welcoming the ‘Time Limits’
supervisors and managers alike to have the confidence in the new provision; this is only campaign, “A time limit of a year gives ample
confidence to deal with these. However, natural.” time for enquiries to be carried out and
while we will certainly be open to this, we During the seminar Ian Balbi, head of ensures that we don’t have officers being
will monitor how it plays out in the discipline policy at the Home Office Police stuck in limbo.”
Supporting those who need it

By Lorraine Horner, Force wellbeing manager we are ‘caring for the carers’. the Force intranet so please look for these
What is so amazing is that there is and access more information on available
TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) was already a list of people interested in being a support.
officially launched in September at the Force member of the TRiM team in the future. Work has started on the creation of the
leadership meeting. While TRiM support is really successful, it Back-up Buddy app. We are currently working
My team and I have attended a number is important to help build resilience in all our through the information we need to provide
of meetings and events across the Force to colleagues. The National Wellbeing Service to the app creator to personalise the
provide an input on what TRiM is, how it can has a self-development programme called information for West Midlands Police.
provide support and the process for its Mindfit Cop. We are also asking for people to come
activation. We are also fortunate enough to be part forward to provide their mental health video
You will know about the large incidents of a group of organisations with access to story to go onto the app. the collection of
across the Force that have impacted #resilientme–Blue Light. This enables all ‘stories’ will have a huge impact on those
colleagues recently, for all of these incidents WMP colleagues to work through a year-long who are struggling with their own mental
- and some smaller events - TRiM has been self-development journey which explores the health and also raise awareness among
activated and the TRiM team has provided impact of workload, burn-out and colleagues by breaking down barriers.
the support required. relationships. If you feel you would like to contribute to
The process has certainly been tested Both Mindfit Cop and #resilientme can the Back-up Buddy video story please contact
recently and it is great to see such an be accessed through the Wellbeing Portal on me.
enthusiastic, passionate and motivated
group of people who are going over and It is great to see such an enthusiastic,
above to deliver the all-important TRiM “
interventions. passionate and motivated group of people
There have been two training courses to
uplift the number of TRiM practitioners and who are going over and above to deliver the
managers. This supports the increase in
demand for TRiM interventions and ensures all-important TRiM interventions. “

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