Page 11 - WMPF Federation Oct-Nov 2021-flip_Neat

Steve treatment of rank and file officers communicated to members more
effectively. In an environment where mass
decreasing while intrusion and control over
Malone our private lives increased, I decided I would ‘broadcasting’ has replaced effective
try to become involved in more formal
communication, it is a challenge to be
representation methods outside of local heard above all of the other information
panels. bombarding the workforce.”
“I believe that sensible negotiation He said the Police Federation
carried out by the Fed with a foundation of nationally had to keep attracting members
proportionate representation is the best in the face of the quick turnover model for
way to protect and improve members’ student officers who may choose not to
rights and I am keen to help.” remain with the Force.
officers who genuinely need assistance “ I believe that sensible
Steve said he hoped to bring a

pragmatic but determined approach to
negotiation carried
protecting members’ interests in his new
out by the Fed with a
role and is looking forward to helping
with matters they feel powerless or afraid foundation of
to take on and making the voices of those proportionate
perhaps less vocal in the organisation representation is the
heard in a sensible and effective manner. best way to protect
New West Midlands Police Federation He acknowledged the most challenging and improve
workplace representative Steve Malone aspects of being a rep would be fitting in
has vowed to bring a “pragmatic but the role around his day job and personal members’ rights and I
determined approach” to the role after commitments but said he would eventually am keen to help.
seeing the rights of colleagues eroded in hope to specialise in personnel and “
recent years. equalities or conduct matters.
Steve, a Coventry-based inspector on Steve sees demand and membership He also warned of future issues with
the serious and organised crime/ retention as the greatest hurdles faced by officers joining on direct access who
exploitation team task force, said he was the Federation branch. quickly find themselves in senior positions
happy to be learning the ropes for now He said: “As pay and conditions — thus negotiating with the Federation
after becoming a rep in the latest continue to degrade and the pension — without a real understanding of the
elections but was keen to make a dispute continues to reflect poorly on our working conditions and challenges faced
difference. capability, our membership could reduce. by frontline officers.
He said: “Having observed the “I also think the great work could be Steve became a police officer in 2000
and transferred to the Force in 2009.
He finished his A-Levels the year
university fees were introduced so decided
impact.” “I think the challenge for the Police against higher education and applied to
Jess says she’s looking forward to Federation of England and Wales is that join the army, RAF, fire service and police.
“getting stuck in with Federation work” and there’s a need to rebuilt trust and The police offered him the earliest start
delivering the same service that she herself confidence which has been lost date and also appealed above the other
would expect. She is also hoping to somewhat from the perceived failings careers as Steve said he saw the
specialise in personnel and equalities issues of the pension issue. Similarly, West opportunity to undertake work with an
in the future. Midlands Police Federation needs to outcome that can really make a difference
As for the challenges of the role, Jess restore some of the lost faith which to people’s lives, particularly people who
explains: “There are going to be occasions again came due to the issues are under-represented or may struggle to
when you simply can’t deliver what a surrounding the pension challenge. defend themselves.
member wants of where you have to deliver “And, we are getting more and more He sees one of the main challenges
bad news.” busy with new challenges which have faced by policing as an increase in public
She adds: “I think the biggest challenge resulted from the pandemic but we expectations over contact, time, service
for the police service generally is the fact don’t have the staff levels to deal with and outcomes while at the same enduring
that our forces now are so very young and this scale.” reduced budgets and unachievable levels of
there’s been a huge loss of skills that has Jess says her advice to new officers demand.
arisen from years of freezing recruitment. is to enjoy themselves: “You will not He said: “Socially, we live in significantly
Add to this the lockdowns of the pandemic, believe how fast a career goes by! Keep more complex times both in terms of
we have officers with very little life challenging yourself so you become a norms and values generally and crime
experience through no fault of their own. better officer. It’s all too easy to become specifically. The police are behind, catching
“At the end of March this year 31 per stuck in a rut. Whatever you want to up and adapting is difficult, especially for
cent of officers had fewer than five years’ achieve, whether it’s to specialise or get larger forces.”
service and, of these, 27 per cent had less promoted, just go for it. If you’re Steve’s advice for new officers just
than one year. I also see some austerity unsuccessful first time around, go back joining the Force would be: “Don’t take
coming as a result of the pandemic. and try again until you do succeed.” yourself too seriously.”

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