Page 4 - WMPF Federation DEC 2019-flip_Neat

Chair’s introduction

Looking back but

thinking ahead

a number of incidents where our officers In the meantime we, as a Federation,
have suffered life-changing injuries when want to remind members that help and
they have been struck by vehicles by support is available if you should find
mindless criminals who show no regard or yourself in financial difficulty and, in the
respect for the police. We hope the officers February/March edition of this magazine we
injured in these incidents continue on their will include a feature on some of the
road to recovery but we also need to see organisations that can provide you with
those who are involved in these attacks face tailored advice.
the full weight of the law. Unfortunately, Much is said about the need to boost
while tougher sentences are now available officer wellbeing – and I am really pleased to
to the courts as a result of the Federation’s see that officers are now feeling confident
Protect the Protectors campaign, there is about talking about their mental health –
evidence that these are not always being but healthy finances are also necessary to
handed down. everyone’s wellbeing so we want to ensure
As a Federation, we will be pushing not that everyone knows help is at hand.
just for the courts to suitably punish those Finally, I would just like to say how proud
who attack the police but also for even I am to have been elected as chair of the
tougher sentences to be introduced. We will West Midlands Police Federation. You can
also be working with the Force to ensure read more about my policing and Federation
that officers are given the very best safety background in the profile piece on Page 22.
By Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police training so they can protect themselves and However, I would just like to say here
Federation
this will just be one strand of work for 2020. that, while I know it’s going to involve a
Another focus for us next year will be the period of adjustment moving from my
am reliably informed that it’s something Force recruitment programme and, coupled detective role to a full-time Federation post,
of a tradition that the chair, in writing with that, measures to boost officer I am confident that I can make a difference
I their introduction to the last Federation retention. for members.
magazine of the year, looks back on the Closely linked to that will, of course, be I will always represent you to the very
events of the last 12 months, touching on the issue of pay. The annual Police best of my ability, putting your views and
both high and low points. Federation pay and morale survey revealed perspectives forward to senior officers and
Of course, being relatively new to this some shocking figures in relation to officers’ managers, negotiating on your behalf and
role - at the time of writing I had been chair finances (see Page 6 for more details of our seeking to influence decision-makers. I am
for just a few weeks - this is perhaps a little respondents’ views). looking forward to the challenges ahead.
more difficult than it would be for someone Earlier this year, for the first time in three Finally, I appreciate many of you will be
who had been at the helm throughout the years, the Government accepted the working over the festive period. However, I
year. recommendations of the Police hope that, despite your shifts, you are able
But, that said, I have still welcomed the Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and to spend some time with your loved ones. All
opportunity to reflect on all that has awarded us a 2.5 per cent pay rise. This was that remains is for me to wish you a very
happened during 2019 and make plans for perhaps one of the highlights of the year merry Christmas and best wishes for a safe
what will be our focus in 2020. but, while welcome, the pay rise was not and healthy 2020.
One incident really stands out in my enough. In real terms, we have seen our pay l See Page 22 for a profile of the new
memory. The death of PC Andrew Harper of cut in recent years and we need to see Federation chair.
Thames Valley Police has to be one of the efforts to address that.
people have for the police and his death was “ As a Federation, we will be pushing not just
most shocking tragic events of the year. This
young officer, just weeks after his marriage,
died serving his community. He left home to
go to work and never returned after his shift.
for the courts to suitably punish those who
The public outpouring of grief is testimony
to the high regard the vast majority of

a poignant reminder of the risks officers take attack the police but also for even tougher
each and every day as they go about their sentences to be introduced.
duties. “
Here in the West Midlands, we have seen

04 federation December 2019/January 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids