Page 13 - WMPF Federation JUNE-JULY 2019-flip_Neat

a more timely way but there is a still a long operate but many changes for good either
way to go – there are still many examples of can’t be made or are very slow to happen due
officers being under investigation for years to all the red tape, rules and regulations. And
- and it only needs the wrong change at the then there are individuals in the Force, the
top of a force, PSD or the IOPC for any Federation - and in Government - who seek
progress made to be reversed very quickly only to promote themselves and their own
“There will also be a return to the misguided views and ideas, while making
potential sanction of ‘reduction in rank’ zero impact or worse having an adverse effect
though I’m not sure this is fair to constables on the the world of policing, which helps
who, for obvious reasons, can’t be subject to neither the Force, its officers or the public we
this. The use of this sanction will have to be serve.
closely monitored. “The other major challenge has been to
“I genuinely hope chief constables, PSDs attempt to influence PSD and the IOPC
and the IOPC buy in to this. Recently our Force decision-makers to adhere to the law and
and PSD have moved in the right direction regulations, to be consistent in their decision-
towards the NPCC approved ‘ethos’ of the making and to make objective decisions
2019 regulations even though they haven’t based on all the available evidence - as
been implemented yet. Sadly, experience has opposed to subjective decisions based on
shown over the years that it only needs a assumptions and conjecture.
certain type of senior manager to lead PSD or John Tooms early in his career. “Managing expectations is another key
the IOPC and all the progress made towards a “I also remember being criticised by a challenge for any rep and one that is
learning culture can swiftly be reversed to one senior manager for supporting my officers/ sometimes difficult to explain and get right.”
of blame and suspicion.” team during a PDR and I quote ‘I have While he is leaving the Force at a time
John’s policing career began in Class concerns you have a greater loyalty to your when he is hopeful the conduct regulations
10/90E in October 1990. Leicestershire Police officers than to the organisation’. will finally be fit for purpose and that the
and civil engineering’s loss was West “And then, of course, I was subject to a IOPC and PSD adhere to them, John also
Midlands Police’s gain. malicious and unjustified complaint which genuinely welcomes the current Chief
He had wanted to join Leicestershire meant I was under investigation by PSD for Constable’s drive for the Force to be more
Police Cadets when he was 16 but, since they six months. diverse, inclusive and representative of the
weren’t recruiting, he stayed on at school and “Another frustration was having my team communities it serves.
eventually got a civil engineering HND and disbanded for no other reason than to assist He is also not the first to argue that the
degree at Trent Polytechnic. others officers’ promotion applications and police service itself is facing a crisis and will
His first police posting were in the G2 D aspirations. continue to struggle to meet all the demands
Unit at Wednesfield and then Bilston where “And then in recent years I have witnessed placed on it if there is not a significant
he started his first independent foot patrol. first-hand the negative effects long increase in funding and investment.
His career threw up a number of highlights. investigations have on officers and their “For the Government to say reducing
He recalls: “I have worked with lots of families.” police funding hasn’t led to a rise in crime is,
amazing, hard-working, committed people While reluctant to name a single person quite frankly, outrageous and total nonsense,”
who I won’t embarrass by naming - including or a number of people he most admires in John said.
one or two at PSD (!), having an attachment policing, he instead says he is full of respect He is now planning to take some
to AO1 and getting promoted to sergeant - for the police officers who work hard and do well-earned time off to travel, relax, spend
‘the best rank in the job’ according to the their very best for the public and in support of time with his family (and go fishing!) but
then Chief Constable Ron Hadfield and I have their colleagues in very difficult and knows he will greatly miss ‘the vast majority
to agree – were all high points. sometimes challenging circumstances. of people’ he has worked with. After six
“Leading a small team at the Merry Hill He has enjoyed supporting members with months’ ‘rest’, he plans to look for part-time
Shopping Centre was also a pivotal moment genuine issues, ‘sparring’ with supervisors work away from policing.
and then becoming a Fed rep and being able and managers – ‘especially when you’re right’, But he can rest assured that he has left a
to make a real difference to the lives of working alongside other Fed reps, some of Force and Federation legacy of which he can
members and sometimes their families.” whom are committed and highly motivated be proud.
But, of course, there were also a number and who regularly put members’ interests “I’m happy that the CaPLO Committee
of low points, most significantly the loss of before their own, and working closely with a (discipline reps) I leave is in a position to
serving colleagues and friends Mick Swindells number of solicitors, legal reps and barristers continue to professionally and competently
in 2004 and Mick Chapman in 2014. who, he recognises, have regularly gone the represent our members, sometimes at their
He also came to the realisation, very early extra mile to help and support officers. greatest time of need,” John said.
in his career, that if a supervisor doesn’t like But, John acknowledges, the role has not “I know that the full-timers now leading
you they can make your life and career very been without its challenges. the committee, George McDonnell, Dave
difficult. “There’s the old saying – ‘Accept the Hadley and Alan O’Shea, will more than
“Through no fault of my own, I was things you cannot change, have the courage continue the successful legacy of previous
unfairly criticised by a certain supervisor who, to change the things you can – and have the leads. A professional and competent CaPLO
after I challenged them back, made it their wisdom to know the difference. This has been Committee not only supports its Federation
goal to make my first two years as very true throughout my career and I haven’t members but also ensures fairness and
uncomfortable as possible. Fortunately, I had always got it right,” he explains. transparency for everyone – the police and
great support from my team supervision and “As with all large institutions, there have the public it serves - while holding PSD and
I completed my probation successfully,” John been major frustrations with how things (the the IOPC to account – long may this
said. police and the Federation) are managed and continue.”

www.polfed.org/westmids federation June/July 2019 13