Page 21 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2017

Federation urges

MPs to speak out in

support of police

he region’s newly elected MPs are among members as officers struggle to one-year period, really does matter and
being urged to call on the Government match dwindling resources with ever- impacts on policing.
Tto invest in policing so the Force can increasing demands. “Here in the West Midlands, we have lost
deliver what is expected of it. The letter to MPs comes after West 2,000 officers since 2010. Not only does this
Tom Cuddeford, chairman of West Midlands DI Warren Hines revealed, in an impact on the service the public receive here
Midlands Police Federation, has written to all interview with Sky News, that an increasing but it also impacts on the welfare and
local MPs urging them to support their number of police officers are considering efficiency of police officers.
police officers by speaking up on their behalf suicide because of the strains they are “The threats and dangers officers face
in Parliament and asking them to campaign facing. continue to increase, while the protective
for increased funding for the service. And, Chief Constable Dave Thompson equipment supplied and sentencing
“We need a commitment to make has also set out his own concerns, calling for deterrent for those convicted of assault on
changes for the better. We appreciate there funding to be stabilised with real term an officer remains largely unchanged.”
is no quick fix but after years of budget cuts protection for policing, more effective The Federation’s letter to MPs also
it is time for a re-investment in policing, for spending within forces and targeted mentioned the Police Federation’s national
the good of the police service, our local Government spending to help the service Protect The Protectors campaign, which
communities and the public we serve,” says tackle threats such as terrorism. aims to highlight the dangers front-line
Tom. West Midland Police Federation public servants face and calls for an increase
“As the Force has adapted to reductions secretary Steve Grange has also highlighted in the tariff for those convicted of assault on
in funding, it has struggled to deal with the huge importance the public in West all emergency service workers.
traditional offences while also rising to the Midlands placed on policing and the fact West Midlands Police Federation is
challenges of new and emerging crimes such that officer numbers, resourcing and the hoping to meet local MPs so it can explain
as cyber-crime, child sexual exploitation and welfare of officers rightly came under the the issues affecting its members and the
human trafficking and the growing threat of media spotlight before the General Election. police service as a whole.
terrorism. “During the election campaigning all Steve concludes: “The men and women
“It is becoming more and more difficult political parties pledged to work to keep the of West Midlands Police who run towards
for us to provide an effective service for nation safe and secure, particularly in the danger to protect their communities seek
victims of crime and walk the beats in our light of the terrorist attacks in Manchester their MPs’ support. This support would help
communities to offer a reassuring visible and London,” Steve explains. ensure their welfare needs are met and that
policing presence and fight crime and “The message we heard was loud and their pay and conditions of service reflect the
terrorism through effective neighbourhood clear and supported what we have been difficult and dangerous job they undertake
policing.” saying for some time: police numbers do on behalf of the public.
The Federation leader also pointed out matter. The loss across England and Wales “It could also help ensure the police
the effect the cuts were having on officers’ of 21,500 police officers since 2009, service is properly resourced so that the
welfare and efficiency, highlighting growing including 1,260 firearms officers and more public can be properly protected.”
levels of sickness and stress-related illnesses than 3,250 neighbourhood officers in a

Firearms survey - do you want to be routinely armed?

All Federation members across the country are going to be asked if Midlands Police Federation, “Members were last surveyed on this
they would like to be routinely armed in a survey being conducted issue in 2006 when the vast majority said they did not want to carry
throughout August. firearms. Of course, we have seen considerable changes in the last
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) survey will 11 years so it will be interesting to see if officers’ views have changed
be sent directly to officers via the member database. too.”
“There has been much debate about routine arming of police The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete and will
officers lately so the Federation has decided it’s time to ask officers close on 1 September. Results are expected towards the end of
themselves for their views,” says Tom Cuddeford, chairman of West September.

www.westmidspolfed.com federation August/September 2017 21