Page 15 - WMPF Federation Magazine February / March 2018

“ 50 not out!
It was essential that we made the Federation

fit for purpose for the 21st century, only then

Lol Ellison joined West Midlands Police
can it properly represent the membership,
more than 50 years ago but he’s still going
negotiate effectively on their behalf and seek

PC B272 Ellison was sworn in as a
police officer on 4 December 1967 after
to influence decision-makers. The review is strong as a forensics specialist.
swapping life as a farmhand in Shropshire
for beat patrols in West Bromwich. His first
still ongoing but great strides have been monthly payslip was 35 pounds, 7 shillings
and 6 pence, less than he earned on the
made and we cannot live in the past. farm.
He met his wife, a police shorthand
typist, at the then state-of-the-art police
experienced, he is still proud to have been a in the past,” Tom says. station in the town where a Tesco
police officer, to have made the rank of Looking back on his Federation career, he supermarket now stands.
sergeant after 12 years as a PC and to have hopes he will be remembered as someone Lol says he ‘loved every minute’ of being
“
made his family proud of him. who made a difference for members who a Beat Bobby but his real passion was
His policing career has not been without needed Federation support when they were crime investigation and in 1981 he landed
its low points. Tom cites the real term going through tough times but also for his dream job as a SOCO.
reduction in police pay and conditions and introducing Taypot1! He retired after 30 years’ service as a
the impact this has had on officer morale Tom’s official retirement day is 10 April police officer − but 16 hours later returned
but also the tragic deaths of several officers and he then hopes to buy a little cottage in to his old desk as a civilian SOCO in the
in service. Extremadura, Spain and see some of the Force’s new forensics lab.
Tom first became a Federation workplace world. Evidence uncovered by the 69-year-old
representative in November 2008. “I am proud to have served the public of has helped crack countless cases −
He recalls: “I was a custody sergeant at the West Midlands for the last 31 years and including a high-profile jewellery heist and
Wolverhampton Central Police Station and all those friends and colleagues I have the murder of a police officer − and he’s
the previous sergeants’ Fed rep had moved worked with over the years during this helped identify more than 1,000 criminals.
on, so I went for the role of rep and that was period. Being a police officer is an absolutely Lol’s police photo scrapbook includes a
it - my first rung of the Federation ladder.” unique role and profession and I have snap from the ‘80s showing the eager
His career saw him rise from a workplace reached the end of my policing career SOCO − in suit and tie − digging up
rep to become branch chair around 18 knowing I have given it my best shot,” he woodland in the hunt for £65,000 worth of
months ago. explains. jewellery from a shop heist in Walsall.
As a rep over the last decade, he has “I wish all the best for the future to all He recalls: “All we knew was it was two
supported and helped countless Federation my colleagues who I leave behind. Tom, Tom strides from a tree which had been marked
members and colleagues who have been the Fed Mon.” by a knife cut; I found the tree and, yes, the
going through misconduct and personnel jewellery was recovered during my dig.”
issues. He was instrumental in starting up a And Lol adds: “I was the SOCO on many
programme of West Midlands Police Tom’s Federation facts complex, fascinating investigations − and
Federation Roadshows across the Force over nothing beats uncovering that bit of
the last few years to promote the Police November 2008 - Sgt Fed rep evidence which leads to you identifying an
Federation and all it has to offer to Wolverhampton West Operational offender and securing justice for victims.”
members. He also helped launched Teapot Command Unit In 2008 Lol − whose son is a Force
1/Taypot 1 to offer support and crime scene co-ordinator − joined the
refreshments for members involved in April 2010 - Sgt Fed rep Wolverhampton Force’s Fingerprint Development
policing large-scale events, including Local Policing Unit Laboratory.
political party conferences and rallies. 2010 - 2012 - Deputy secretary National Lol’s incredible service has recognised
As chair, he has been a keen and active Custody Forum, PFEW (influencing the by the Chief Constable.
supporter of the nationwide Protect the safer detention and handling of persons And even after 50 years’ service he’s
Protectors campaign on officer assaults, in custody and PACE related matters) still passionate about police work: “My
helping secure the introduction of spit motivation has always been my passion for
guards for all front-line West Mids police May 2011 - Completed conduct and forensic investigation. If money was my
officers and the increase in Taser trainer performance Federation course motivation I would never have joined the
officers, for their own and the public’s safety. March 2012 - July 2016 - Deputy chair, Force.
But he says the biggest challenges have West Midlands Police Federation Joint “I’ve had a hugely satisfying career
been managing members’ expectations in Branch Board with lots of happy memories. I can still
terms of police pay and conditions matters, January 2014 - Completed health and recall my first fingerprint identification
especially the long-debated pension issues, safety in the police service course following a break-in at a shoe repair shop
and seeing through the independent review. in West Bromwich… and I get the same
“It was essential that we made the November 2015 - Media course buzz now from landing a forensics ‘hit’.”
Federation fit for purpose for the 21st April 2016 - Post-incident procedures Lol is a member of the WMP bowls
century, only then can it properly represent course team and says: “My only regret is never
the membership, negotiate effectively on quite being able to land the National
their behalf and seek to influence decision- August 2016 - Present day chair West Police Crown Green Bowls title. I was a
makers. The review is still ongoing but great Midlands Police Federation Joint Branch beaten finalist twice, in 1973 and 1996.”
strides have been made and we cannot live Board.

www.westmidspolfed.com federation February/March 2018 15