Page 3 - Here For You 2013

Chair’s Foreword We are producing this, our first annual review, to give our members – and other interested parties - more of an insight into the full extent of the work of the West Midlands Police Federation, our seven full-time representatives, our 77 part- time workplace representatives and our support staff. It is fair to say that many officers see the Police Federation as the place to turn to when they need help with a discipline matter or a problem with work. And, of course, we are here to offer assistance, support and guidance with such issues. But we also negotiate on members’ behalf to try to get the best deal possible on pay, conditions and welfare and offer a wide range of other support services with access to various products – including life cover and insurance tailored to suit members’ needs. More details about our Member Services can be found in this booklet. However, no annual review would be complete without putting it into the context of developments within the police service during the year in question. Like so many other years recently, I think we could sum it up in one word – challenging. The 20 per cent cuts to policing have really started to have an effect and there is no let up in sight with predictions that the budget restrictions will continue. As 2012 made way for 2013, the Police and Crime Commissioners were settling into their posts and the changes post-Winsor were starting to be felt. Throughout February, members of the Police Federation were asked to take part in a national ballot asking if they wanted the Federation to campaign for industrial rights in the light of perceived threats to the unique status of police officers. The national Federation said it could only launch such a campaign if more than half of its total membership of 133,108 voted in favour but not even half (56,333) took part in the online poll - though, of those, 45,651 did support seeking industrial rights. Starting salaries for new recruits were reduced by £4,000 to £19,000 though some forces, including the West Midlands, set theirs higher and we welcomed the stance of our PCC Bob Jones on this. Plans for direct recruitment into senior ranks and the recruitment of chief officers from overseas also gathered apace. However, one issue seemed to dominate most of the year – the possible introduction of compulsory severance for police officers which, while thrown out by the Police Arbitration Tribunal, could still raise its head again since the Home Secretary has said it should still be considered by Government and the police service. The Federation will continue to fight any plans to introduce compulsory severance for police officers maintaining its view that any such move would undermine the office of constable and therefore damage the very nature of British policing.