Page 19 - Federation Magazine: April/May 2018
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these offences.”
The Force has committed to support any West Midlands Police Violence and hate
officer or staff member subjected to
disablist, racist, religious, homophobic or crime on police
transphobic abuse. And as case law shows,
you don’t have to identify as a member of a officers and staff
minority group to make a report. 10 Point Plan
The new 10-point plan is designed to
guide employees and supervisors through
the process of reporting an incident and is
1 Violence and hate crime on police officers and police staff should be
being strengthened to include hate crimes.
investigated with the same care, compassion and commitment as we give to
Along with the Federation branch, the members of the public
Force’s other staff networks and unions
have backed the revised plan and will 2 Colleagues recover better and more quickly if they receive the right welfare
and supervision
provide staff and officers with support.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson has 3 All violence and hate crime on police officers and police staff will be treated
also backed the plan and will provide a seriously and WMP will seek to ensure appropriate redress through the
signed statement outlining the impact any criminal justice system
crime has had on the member or staff as 4 The assault or hate crime is to be raised at the next available TRM and
an individual, the Force and the discussed outside of this meeting to maintain confidentiality of the victim
communities they serve.
When he became Chief Constable in 5 The officer or staff member must never be the OIC for their own investigation
January 2016, Mr Thompson promised to 6 The ICASS report must be completed by the supervisor along with, where
do more on staff wellbeing. As well as severity
practicable, the employee for all assaults and hate crime regardless of
introducing the People Deal, he has
backed the Police Federation’s Protect the 7 The supervisor must ensure that the local senior leadership team is informed
Protectors campaign and overseen the of all assaults and hate crime; if the police employee is hospitalised the on
introduction of spit guards and double- call chief officer is to be notified
shot Taser to help with officer safety. 8 The supervisor must notify the Police Federation or union representative
Earlier this year, improvements to
9 To achieve a successful prosecution, the best evidence must be presented
staff wellbeing was identified as a key
and the Chief Constable will supply a personal impact statement to support
issue in the results of The Big Staff the prosecution
Survey.
West Midlands Police and Crime 10 The Victims Code applies to all victims including police officers and staff who
have been subjected to an assault or hate crime
Commissioner David Jamieson has also
welcomed the new plan.
“I am always deeply concerned when
I hear how our hard-working police
officers and staff are abused by a small Preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in need
minority of people. Everyone has the www.west-midlands.police.uk
right to go to work and be treated with
respect. Thankfully, this is not
something the West Midlands Police is
prepared to stand for and they know
they have my complete backing,’ said 180104-000510
the PCC.
Police Federation UNISON injury. For full details of our member
Free legal, medical advice and assistance to UNISON has a network of trained local benefits and how to join call us on
enable members to pursue civil claims for advisors who will provide you with help at Tel: 0121 700 1212 or visit
damages for such things as injuries work when you need it most, as well as www.wmpben.co.uk
sustained in traffic and other kinds of professional legal advisors and experts.
accidents; defamation arising from police Tel: UNISON-direct free on 0800 0 857 857 or Victim Support
duty and criminal assaults. Tel: 0121 700 visit UNISON@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk Victim Support services are free,
1200 or visit westmidlandspf@polfed.org confidential and available to anyone
West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund regardless of whether the crime has been
Unite Open to officers and staff, as a member reported or how long ago it happened.
Unite offers a wide range of services to you’re entitled to lots of worthwhile benefits, Telephone Victim Support on
members, from representation in the for just £2 per month, including; shopping 08 08 16 89 111 or visit
workplace and free legal advice. vouchers if you’re off work sick, grants, loans www.victimsuport.org.uk
Tel: 0121 553 6051 or visit wmp-unite.com and convalescence breaks following illness or
www.westmidspolfed.com federation April/May 2018 19