Page 8 - WMPF Federation Feb-Mar 2020-flip_Neat

Under pressure

Force tutors: ‘We need to

attract the right people

for the right reasons’

shortage of officers putting
themselves forward to act as tutors
A has prompted the Force to mandate
officers to take on the role.
But, according to one experienced tutor,
this could lead to difficulties further down
the line due to the challenges of tutoring.
“There are inherent problems with
mandating officers to perform the role of
tutor,” says DC Chris Smith, a Federation
workplace representative who has acted as a
tutor for around 23 years, “Ideally, the Force
would have a cadre of skilled and willing
volunteers.
“The role should be attracting the right
people for the right reasons and, as an
organisation, we should be able to retain
those officers and their skill sets. Tutors used
to be rewarded for their tutoring efforts and I
think this is something the Force should look
at again for recruitment and retention in the
role.
“Mandating officers to perform the role
of tutor could result in an unmotivated Police Now officer Jack Crane (left) who was tutored by Chris Smith (right) met former Prime
workforce providing poor standards of Minister Tony Blair.
learning.” at a time. It requires a great deal of time, kind of hands on practical learning which is
Chris, who is currently based on an focus and patience. We often have to balance ideal preparation for student officers beyond
investigation team at Brierley Hill Police this with our own investigation workloads independent patrol.
Station, believes all officers should have the and I also have to balance this with my work “Students have different learning styles
attributes to be a good tutor – patience, an as a Federation rep. and rates of learning so it can sometimes be
ability to listen and good communications “I’ve tutored under a number of different challenging and tiring for the tutor - and
skills – but says a sense of humour can also systems, I’ve tutored PCs and prospective DCs, student. However, I’ve found the most recent
help. students by normal entry routes, Police Now experience of tutoring very uplifting, the
However, he understands that just entrants and one of the Force’s first inspector students are keen and enthusiastic and that
because officers have the skills it doesn’t direct entrants. I’ve mentored and I’ve kind of motivation rubs off.”
mean they would want to take on the role coached, I’ve found all to be enjoyable and if I Chris has been a Federation member since
although he thinks all supervisors should at had my time over I would definitely do it joining the Force and became a Federation
least do a spell as a tutor. again. rep about 18 months ago, having put himself
Chris took on a tutoring position shortly “I believe tutoring is an undervalued role forward for the role due to concerns about
after coming out of his probationary period, within the organisation. But I find it can be the reduction in staffing levels, increased
having joined the Force in July 1995, and put immensely rewarding. It’s great to see people workloads and mounting stress levels among
himself forward after his sergeant suggested develop during their time with me. I like this officers.
he would be good at it.
“At the moment, I’m tutoring two student I’ve found the most recent experience of
tutoring very uplifting, the students are keen
officers on Force CID. Tutoring is best done on “
a one to one basis but I have looked after as
many as four students on one day which was and enthusiastic and that kind of motivation
challenging,” he explains.
“Tutoring is a full-time job in itself and rubs off.
that’s when you’re only tutoring one person “

08 federation February/March 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids