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GET T O KNO W Y OU R R EP S
New Federation representative

puts focus on fairness

Peri Dhesi is Response. And he would encourage other
committed to “I learnt so much there and we had a members to consider putting themselves
increasing fairness great team including Andy Hedge, Steve forward for the role.
across the Force. Brown, Mike Bradbury and Sgt Hancock. I “If it’s something you have an interest
One of the newest wouldn’t have become a semi-decent in, put yourself forward. The worse thing
officers to join West constable without their guidance and it is that can happen is you stay where you
Midlands Police something I am thankful for today,” he are now,” he says.
Federation as a explains. So what does he see as the
workplace He has since worked in Response, as a challenges ahead for West Midlands
representative, Peri has only been in the call handler and dispatcher in Force Contact Police Federation, the Force, officers and
role for a few weeks but he is already and as a trainer in Learning and the wider police service?
enjoying being able to offer colleagues Development (L & D). Having left L & D to “Well, the pension issues are
advice and support. become an investigator, he became a obviously a challenge for the Federation.
“My over-riding goal as a Federation detective in FCID in 2016 and is now a Fair play though, there is a West
representative is helping people,” he sergeant. Midlands Police Federation working
explains, “I enjoy helping people and if “I try not to focus on job highlights as I group now which will hopefully be able
there is something I can do for anyone, I try to maintain a balanced mindset and to work through some of the issues.
will try my best to do it. Now I am a Fed ultimately do the best for victims and our However, it is a complex issue, so
rep, as long as I can help people, I will people, however, leaving my role in L & D as members should be patient,” he explains.
continue to do it as best as I can. a trainer with a goal to become a detective “For the Force, officer retention is a
“I’ve always been a people person so I and a sergeant and achieving those both by huge problem. With so many new officers
feel that’s a strength. I am fortunate as 2018 was a personal highlight,” Peri says. joining us as well, it means we need to
my role gives me regular access to SLT and “Another highlight is meeting my two retain that experience so we can pass
I feel I have made good relationships with best friends, Ade Davies and Mitz Parmar, down good habits.
them prior to becoming a Fed rep. and of course, meeting my wife, Aman “In terms of officers and staff, I think
Hopefully, that can continue and I can Dhesi. West Midlands Police has been very safety is the main concern. My team puts
look after member interests within the influential on my circle and my life.” together the FCID TRM document and I
organisation. He is currently working in FCID Prevent am always appalled with how many
“I’m busy and I enjoy being busy. It which is closely involved with the planning people in our organisation are assaulted
may be difficult balancing my day job with team in FCID and he adds: “Needless to say on a daily basis.
my Federation duties although this is my days are very random but I am in a “For the police service, our
something I feel I will manage. fortunate position where I can influence relationships with our communities are
“My key focus will be increasing some change and have my voice heard with challenging. We need to change the way
fairness across the organisation. I really SLT.” we police to match society’s change. So,
want everyone to be treated fairly across Since he only became a Federation rep in for instance, when I was a kid, if someone
the organisation and particularly within July, Peri is awaiting his initial training in authority told me to do something I
FCID where I imagine most of my duties course, which he will undertake in August, did it. That’s changed now and it’s not
will occur.” but he is settling into the role, grateful for necessarily a bad thing. We just have to
He adds: “I just want to be the best the support of Federation chair, Jon Nott, ensure we continue to change with the
Fed rep I can while I am in post. I want to who has made himself available to him at all times.”
personal values don’t influence objective “ I just want to be the best Fed rep I can while I am
times.
try to help as many people as possible and
increase fairness wherever I am. Really
that’s my main goal. I want people to be
in post. I want to try to help as many people as
able to say they’ve all been treated fairly
by the organisation and to ensure
facts. I’ve used the word fairness a bit but possible and increase fairness wherever I am.
I do believe it’s an important word in an Really that’s my main goal. I want people to be
organisation of our size.” able to say they’ve all been treated fairly by the
Peri has been with the Force for 12
years. But before becoming an officer, he organisation and to ensure personal values don’t
was employed in security at ASDA and
worked closely with the police when influence objective facts. I’ve used the word
dealing with shoplifters which inspired
him to want to join the Force and try to fairness a bit but I do believe it’s an important
have a positive impact on people during
their darkest moments. word in an organisation of our size. “
His first posting was A Unit Tipton on

16 federation August/September 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids