Page 6 - Federation magazine: October / November 2016

WMP2020

Federation calls
for delay on
‘Transition Day’

Plans to implement the Transition deferral of changes is neither sensible nor a major calendar event for West Midlands
Stage 1 of WMP2020 on 28 November does it actually address the resilience Police.”
are ‘ill conceived’, according to West issues. Transition Stage 1 is designed to The Chief Constable not only responded
Midlands Police Federation interim chairman operate with fewer staff.” formally to the letter but also took to his
Tom Cuddeford. In their letter to the Chief Constable blog to address the issue.
In an open letter to the Chief Constable Tom and Steve had acknowledged the In his letter of response the Chief
Dave Thompson, Tom Cuddeford, interim ‘difficult and complex demands’ West Constable said there are high levels of
chairman, and Steve Grange, Federation Midlands Police are facing and the awareness of WMP 2020 and consultation
secretary, asked for a delay from 28 intentions of WMP2020 to streamline the events have been well attended. He added:
November until January because of organisation to work better, but said: “We “Around 80 per cent of staff affected by the
‘significant concerns’ over whether believe to make this transition on the changes are not moving location and much
resources are adequate for the transition to approach to Christmas and all the demands work has been put in place to secure
new teams and roles during such a busy that go with that is ill conceived. continuity.”
time in the calendar. “We note that even with the present With plans crystallising over the
However, in his response, the Chief structure we have resilience issues in summer, he said: “The shape of teams is
Constable was unequivocal: “It is important December 2016, but to try and plan for this also forming and this is one of the reasons
to emphasise that the proposed changes period whilst establishing new teams and why there is a need to place some controls
represent the right step for West Midlands roles under Transition Stage 1 is, we believe, on leave over critical periods. I realise this is
Police and the public it serves. Wholesale unnecessarily complicating what is already very difficult for staff and I hope we can

“We ask that the date for the “
implementation of Transition Stage 1 is
reviewed and delayed until there is real
confidence that our resources are
adequate and that the transition can take
place with the least impact on our staff
and the people that we serve.

Tom Cuddeford, interim chairman of West
Midlands Police Federation

06 federation October/November 2016 www.westmidspolfed.com