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Added protection

New policy on DSI

Officers involved in any Post-Incident Nott, chair of West Midlands Police make sure they understand the new
Procedures (PIP) will now be given the Federation, “For many years, there has been a processes.”
protection afforded to those subjected to a death or serious injury policy in place for Steve Hartshorn, the national
firearms PIP. firearms officers. This has been thoroughly Federation’s PIP lead, added: “We will
This comes after the College of Policing tested through the courts and sets a continue to support our members who are
yesterday launched a Death or Serious Injury standard to ensure officers are protected but involved in a PIP not only through our
Authorised Professional Practice (DSI APP) also helps them provide the best evidence. Welfare Support Programme but also by
Policy. “As the PIP processes are also used for ensuring they have the right legal advice.
The policy sets out the steps that should any incident in which there is a death or We encourage anyone who finds
be taken by a force to protect officers legally, serious injury following police contact, it themselves in this situation to contact
look after their welfare and support them makes complete sense for a policy to be in their local Federation rep as soon as
during an investigation. place for any officer involved in a PIP. I would possible so we can get them the assistance
“We welcome this new policy,” says Jon advise all officers to read the APP guidance to they need.”

Regs reminder: short notice change to duties

All officers should receive at least three l An interval between rostered rest days operational and practical circumstances rather
months’ notice to any changes in duties – not exceeding seven days. than purely on financial grounds. Because
unless the Force deems it to be due to l The only time these regulations can be rosters are produced annually a number of
exigencies of duty. waivered from is due to the officer’s unforeseen reasons for changes may
Before duties are published, the chief own request, a previous agreement subsequently arise.
officer has to fully consult with the Police with the Federation or through It is clearly not possible to produce an
Federation at least once a year and all duty exigencies of duty. exhaustive list of all of the potential reasons,
rosters have to be published no later than The term exigencies of duty should be which may necessitate changes. However, by
one month before the date it starts. interpreted as relating to situations where a way of example, unforeseen public order
Each roster will set out for at least three pressing demand, need or requirement is situations, court attendance and essential
months the following: perceived that is not reasonably avoidable training would justify changes to rostered
l Officer rest days and necessitates a change of roster. In this duties.
l Public holidays on which they may be context, the word ‘pressing’ relates to the An officer should be told as soon as the
required to work expected situation at the time when the requirement for the change is known and at the
l The time at which their scheduled daily duty is to be performed rather than the latest by midnight on the calendar day before
period of duty begins and ends time when the duty roster is changed, ie the the changed period of duty commences.
l Free days for part-time members of staff reasons for a change may be known many Find the answers to more Frequently
l Intervals of at least 11 hours between months in advance but still be pressing. Asked Questions on our website
the end of one shift and the beginning Changes to rosters should only be made www.polfed.org/westmids under the Advice
of the next after full consideration of welfare, and Regs tab.

Specials set to be allowed to join the Federation

A move to allow Special Constables to join the and advice that their regular colleagues are Federation’s remit in the Police Powers and
Police Federation has been backed by West afforded through the Federation. Protections Bill expected this autumn,” he
Midlands branch chair Jon Nott. “This is a welcome move and we look said.
Jon applauded the work of Specials during forward to welcoming them into the “This inclusion will allow Specials to receive
the coronavirus pandemic and said he is Federation family,” he added. the same representation as full-time police
looking forward to the day they could be Under current legislation, Special officers and allows the vital work they do to be
welcomed into the Federation. Constables in England and Wales are not officially recognised. I am delighted we will be
He said: “The contribution that Special allowed to be Federation members. able to give Special Constables the protection
Constables have been making alongside our However, the Police Powers and in the workplace that they so richly deserve.”
members in the response to the coronavirus Protections Bill, which is set to come before Dave added: “Time and again during the
crisis has been amazing. We couldn’t be more MPs later this year, will seek to change that. COVID-19 pandemic I have been impressed
proud of their efforts. In a blog for the Federation, the national and humbled by the way in which Special
“During this pandemic, just like at other Federation’s professional development lead, Constables have stepped up and worked
times, they have given up their free time to Dave Bamber, said the change was not before alongside their full-time colleagues to serve
work alongside our members and face the time. the public when they needed it the most.”
same dangers as they support and protect our “I’m delighted that, following discussions Delegates at the 2014 Police Federation
communities. with the Home Secretary and other national conference voted in favour of Specials
“It’s only right that they should have Government officials to facilitate a change in being allowed to join the organisation. But the
access to the same representation, support law, Specials will be included as part of the Home Office ruled this out in 2016.

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