Page 22 - Federation Magazine: August/September 2015

A fond farewell to Mr Sims VIEWPOINT In each edition of Federation, we ask our members about a topical issue. This time we asked: With the Chief Constable announcing his retirement, what would you like to set as priorities for his successor if you could have a say? If you were on the interviewing panel for the Chief Constable position, what would be the one question you would ask an applicant for the vacancy? Here are the answers we received: Officer with 11 years’ service acknowledging we do not cater for I would like to ask the prospective new ‘customers’ as those who need the Chief at what point will ACPO police do not have the ability to choose est Midlands Police Federation campaign to the Home Office for more anyone else. The fire service wouldn’t deputy chairman Tom officers as, on a day to day basis, we turn out for a burglary and the RAC WCuddeford has paid tribute to cannot resource jobs, many of which wouldn’t be impressed if you asked Chief Constable Chris Sims who has are immediate? This says to me that we them to arrest a knifeman. We don’t announced his retirement. are at breaking point NOW! have to try to make people like us; good Mr Sims will leave the Force early people always will and the less lawfully next year. Officer with 21 years’ service inclined never will. “The Chief Constable has always fully I would like to ask the prospective new Another irritant is the Force’s current engaged with us and his support has Chief: “How in touch are you with what obsession with ASB and the numerous been very welcome during what has is happening at ground level – not targets. Members of the public are been a very challenging few years not listening to the SLTs but the officers being burgled and assaulted, yet we just for the Federation here in the West – morale etc? Would you be prepared to are now stating that children playing Midlands but also for the national come out anonymously and work on a football and loud parties should be Federation and policing generally,” says Response Team or NHT in reality - not treated with equal priority. Ridiculous. Tom. staged for your benefit?” Many complain about the cuts, but I “He has always listened to what we It is important that the Chief shows personally believe we have enough have had to say and has had the interests that they understand the pressures that officers; just many of them are woefully of police officers and the Force at heart. officers on the ground are going under-employed in teams that don’t “While we are sorry to see him go, it through – not just looking at figures or justify their existence. On my LPU, often was great to see him at our Wolves listening to senior managers telling the only eight or nine officers on a football event during May, one of his last them that everything is well. Also don’t response team on any given shift are public appearances before he announced just concentrate on Birmingham – look expected to attend all immediates, his decision to retire. at other LPUs on the outskirts of the West earlies and often many routines while “He looked very relaxed and clearly Midlands which sometimes can feel neighbourhood, capt and others moan enjoyed himself alongside other officers forgotten. incessantly if ‘forced’ to attend a at the event. He will be sorely missed but Staff would appreciate the new Chief domestic in progress. This cannot we wish him a long and happy making an effort to come to speak with continue. retirement.” them, listening to what they have to say, The appointment of a new Chief The search is now on for his understanding the issues. Not saying Constable should be seen as an successor. that the Chief could do anything about it opportunity to significantly change the The Chief said: “It’s been a fantastic – as we are aware it is Government led, working culture and direction of the privilege to lead this force through six but to know the Chief is on our side West Midlands Police before we reach a challenging years. I want to reassure makes an enormous difference. The crisis such as the riots of 2011, and find people that I will use the remaining time same goes with the DCC and ACCs. we are unable to cope. I have in West Midlands Police to make As for a question, I’d ask: “Will you sure the transition to the next Chief Officer with 6 years’ service start putting the welfare and safety of Constable is as smooth as possible and The new Chief Constable should front-line officers first instead of last?” that we don’t take any break on our prioritise the fighting of actual CRIME journey to being the best force in the and return the West Midlands Police to Officer with 27 years’ service country.” being an actual police force rather than I would ask the prospective Chief: “If Members give suggestions for an extension of various councils, social successful what would you do to inspire questions they would like to ask services and the NHS. and motivate the Force as a whole applicants for the Chief Constable’s post The current senior officers in position when looking at the bleak future it faces in our Viewpoint feature (right). seem to be intent on modelling the Force ahead with more austerity measures to on a private sector model, without come?” 22 federation August/September 2015 www.westmidspolfed.com