Page 13 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2018flip_Neat

‘Time for police to bite back’

“For far too long police officers have “They are the bravest. They are the
been taken advantage of. Pay and best,” he explained.
conditions, ‘reform’ of the service, huge John intends to push the
budget cuts, and outrageous slurs and Government to centrally fund Taser,
media soundbites. The Government has wants to see better protection for police
been kicking us for years. There comes a drivers and also wants to start a debate
point where we must bite back, that time on employment rights for police officers.
has come,” he said. “Other areas I want to focus on
And he added: “Whilst we must have a include Special Constables joining the
relationship with the Home Office, chief Federation, the ongoing wellbeing of
officers and the College of Policing, I do not colleagues and reviewing the ‘free half
want to be their friend. I will hold them to hour for the Queen’. I will be making
account to make sure they act in my myself as visible as possible, both to
members best interests. That begins members across England and Wales and
tomorrow when I start my role as national to local Federations,” he said.
John Apter, new national chair of the chair. And he concluded: “So, it will be a
Police Federation of England and Wales. “I have a long list of priorities. At the top busy few months and years ahead. Every
of the list will always be pay and conditions. day is important, and I am determined to
The time has come for police officers to Following the contemptible and disgraceful make a difference. We have been
bite back after years of being kicked by a actions of the Government this year over shouting about the consequence of cuts
Government that has its head firmly our pay award – and let’s be frank, over the to policing for years and have been
buried in the sand when it comes to the past seven or eight years – we have some labelled scaremongers for doing so. We
impact of cuts, according to the new significant decisions to make. The disdain need to be more passionate, persuasive
national chair of the Police Federation of and contempt shown to police officers in and proactive, and we must take our
England and Wales. England and Wales must end.” message to the public who, in the main,
And John Apter has vowed to take a John, who has been chair of Hampshire support policing.”
tough stance when negotiating on Police Federation since 2010, says he is Two candidates put themselves
members’ behalf after becoming the first ‘honoured and humbled’ to have been forward for the role of chair with John
national chair to be chosen through an elected to lead the Federation and proud to standing against Phill Matthews, the
election in which members across the be a police officer, saying officers are national conduct lead.
country could all take part. ordinary people doing an extraordinary job.

Chair’s election statement
He continues: “I will never shy away from fighting for what is
John Apter says that being passionate about fairness was one of right for those I represent. I have successfully campaigned for
the reasons he joined Hampshire Constabulary in December the full roll-out of Taser and spit guards for all officers across
1992. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
It was also behind is decision to become a Fed rep; he “As national chair I will give you your voice back. Employment
wanted to ensure colleagues were treated fairly and received rights for police officers is a contentious issue but over the years
the respect they deserved. I have seen the gradual erosion of Police Regulations. I want an
Before taking on the Hampshire Federation chair’s role, he open and honest debate about what you want, your views
was a uniformed front-line officer working in response, roads matter and will be taken forward. I will work closely with local
policing and on a specialist team investigating road deaths. He Federations and will be a very visible national chair, working
also spent some time as a family liaison officer, a role he found alongside colleagues, across England and Wales, to make sure
incredibly rewarding. your voice is heard.
In an election statement put out to members, he explains: “The national Federation needs to stop focusing on itself and
“In my time as local chair, I have ensured the voice of our officers focus on what is important, which is YOU, the member. I do not
has been at the heart of everything we do. I worked tirelessly to just talk about issues, I have been active in my force and have a
create the Seven-Point Plan to ensure officers and staff proven track record of putting my money where my mouth is,
assaulted at work are treated as victims and given the support fighting for our officers to make sure the reality of policing is
they deserve. The plan has been adopted by almost every force made public. I am passionate about policing and the welfare of
across England and Wales and some forces overseas. The our officers.”
Metropolitan Police have adopted the plan and called it He tells officers: “This is the first time members have been
Operation Hampshire. able to vote for their national chair. This is your opportunity to
“The work I started has been adopted by the Police make a difference. The PFEW must respond to what the
Federation of England and Wales, becoming the Protect the members need. It is time for change. Please vote for me and help
Protectors campaign, of which I am incredibly proud.” me to make that change happen.”

www.polfed.org/westmids federation August/September 2018 13