Page 11 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2018flip_Neat

Don’t bury your head We will get a change
Don’ t bury your
in the sand

head in the sand
when it comes to your finances. to law, says police
Y our financial future

could depend on it.
drivers’ campaigner

see the bill outlining the legislative change but work under the College of Policing, and
we require put forward by Norfolk MP Sir its members should regularly be changed,
Henry Bellingham making its way to law or perhaps annually, to ensure their experience
the Government will lay down its own plans is relevant.
to change the law. “Common standards need to be applied,
“This will be a victory for this campaign, recognising the skills and experience
for police officers and other emergency of those involved in police pursuits and
service drivers but also for common sense. response drives and that’s where the
It cannot be right that police officers doing strength of the new legislation will be
their jobs, protecting their communities, upheld,” he explains.
following their training and current The Home Office has been carrying out
guidance, acting proportionately and a consultation on proposed changes to the
responsibly are prosecuted or put through legislation on police pursuits and response
Let the Federation help you with conduct proceedings. driving. The consultation which closes in
Let the Federation help you with
mid-August, is based around there being a

“The new legislation will apply to all
a free confidential one-to-one police driving applications.” separate test for police drivers that would
a free confidential one-to-one
require:
Police drivers are currently judged by

support on any issues that may See what your colleagues say: the standards of a careful and competent l An officer to drive to the standard of a
Financial MOT.
careful and competent police driver of a
driver with no account being taken of their
training. Since many of the manoeuvres similar level of training and skill; and
they undertake when responding to calls l That the driving tactics employed,
Your meeting could help you manage the financial issues "Not only did she help me to understand for assistance or in pursuing offenders including any exemptions from road
that may arise throughout your police career and into how the new pension will affect me but she would not be carried out by a careful and traffic legislation, such as speed limits,
retirement. also helped save me money!" competent driver they can find themselves or contact with a suspect vehicle, are
authorised appropriately and are both
on the wrong side of the law.
Wayne Bennett, serving police officer, 2018 Tim points out that issues can arise over necessary and proportionate.
If you're struggling to understand what workplace who should assess the standards of an In an introduction to the consultation
benefits are available to you and your dependents, officer’s driving. paper, police minister Nick Hurd explains:
“At present we have different driving
George Burrows could help. They have arranged for "Visiting Caroline Harris was well polices in the 43 forces across England “It is clearly vital that we protect public
worth the time. She helped put my
safety and, while police officers must be
Caroline Harris, a financial welfare specialist with mind at rest with informed information and Wales, then we have the Approved accountable for their actions, it is also
over 25 years' experience, to work alongside the rather than guess work" West Midlands Police Federation deputy Professional Practice of the College of important that skilled officers have the
police Federation and provide detailed information on Ian Skidmore, serving police officer, 2018 secretary Tim Rogers. Policing which gives a set standard but if confidence to protect the public by pursuing
offenders where it is safe to do so.”
the range of pensions and schemes available to you. here will be a change in the law to the Independent Office for Police Conduct Tim concludes: “We do have concerns
gets involved it will often call on the head
offer better protection for police of a Force driving school to carry out an about setting a new higher standard, a
to one and find out how the Police Federations scheme "Caroline cleared up any doubts about my Tdrivers who are currently vulnerable assessment of the driving of the officer in new standard which could mean failure
could help you. pension and helped me understand my tax to prosecution when simply doing their question,” he explains. of the driver training course amounting
Contact the Federation to arrange your code better, which has resulted in a tax jobs, according to West Midlands Police Some forces, for example, have a member of to a criminal offence. We do not require a
“But that can be completely random.
new standard, just recognition of skills and
Federation deputy secretary Tim Rogers.
To book simply call: refund. I highly recommend any officer who improved legislation, highlighting a number support staff as head of the driving school appropriate exemptions from the law as it
free, confidential one to one support.
Tim has spearheaded a campaign for
is close to retirement come and speak to
stands.
0121 700 1200 Simon Shippam, serving police officer, 2018 of cases where officers have been pursued in a police pursuit situation or, if they have, solution to this legislative flaw. The simple
and they may never have even been involved
0121 700 1200
her."
“The Federation has been clear on the
through the courts during drawn-out
it may be some time ago.”
approach is, as per Sir Henry’s bill, to allow
Tim wants to see a Steering Group set

proceedings that have caused untold stress
the current common standard with the
driving needs to be assessed once the new

But he is confident that the issue will be
Appointments take place at Guardians House on them and their families. up to look at cases where a police driver’s a further exemption, an exemption to
Appointments take place at Guardians House
safeguards as previously submitted. The
legislation is in place. He believes that the
resolved when Parliament reconvenes in the
autumn. group should consist of up to eight people, Government’s intentions are sound and
“We are almost there,” says Tim, who including police practitioners with relevant I believe it is committed now in helping
West Midlands Police Federation is an Appointed Representative of George Burrows. George Burrows officers use their skills without fear of
Replace with: West Midlands Police Federation is an Appointed Representative of George Burrows.
is a trading name of Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorized and regulated by is driving training lead for the national experience. It should be given set terms
George Burrows is a trading name of Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised
the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 7th Floor, 55 Blythswood Street, Federation, “Later this year we will either of reference, be completely independent prosecution.”
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 7th Floor, 55
Glasgow, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.
Blythswood Street, Glasgow, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.
www.ajginternational.com.
www.ajginternational.com.
www.polfed.org/westmids federation August/September 2018 11
GB1432/FP251-2018/V2 “