Page 9 - WMPF Federation DEC 2019-flip_Neat
P. 9

Don’t bury your head   Protecting officers
 Don’ t bury your
 in the sand

 head in the sand
 when it comes to your finances.  Call for safety training
 Y our financial future


 could depend on it.  to include more



       hands-on practice








             fficers need to undertake more                                        “A hands-on approach is needed for
             personal safety training with an                                   officer safety training. We would previously
       Oemphasis on hands-on practice,                                          have a two-day course and then at the end a
       according to West Midlands Police                                        half day ‘scenario’ session where the officers
       Federation.                                                              would be asked to demonstrate what they
          The Force has reduced the former two                                  had learned.”
       and half day package of training in 2017                                    He gives the example of the fact that
       down to a one-day course but half of that                                officers are taught several different methods
       day is spent on first aid training.                                      of restraining someone on the floor but now
                                                                                they are just asked to show one they can
         Federation workplace representative Jase
 Let the Federation help you with   See what your colleagues say:    Sayers, a former personal safety training   remember.
 Let the Federation help you with

                                                                                   “There are several different options for a
 a free confidential one-to-one   instructor and the deputy secretary of the    reason and officers need to be able to know
 a free confidential one-to-one
       Federation’s health, safety and welfare
                                                                                which method to use in a given situation. If
 support on any issues that may    "I am very grateful for Caroline's support.   committee, says this is not enough.  officers only know one of the options, they
 Financial MOT.
         “The Force has a duty under health and
 She could see I found the whole situation

                                                                                are not going to have that range of different
       safety legislation to ensure the safety of its
 stressful but she took that pressure from
 me and was wonderful. She's a fantastic   people and personally I do not think it is   approaches to try,” Jase says.

                                                                                   Jase is also concerned that while officers
       doing that right now,” he explains.
 Your meeting could help you manage the financial issues   lady" Serving police officer, 2019     “But I will say that the Force is listening   go through refresher training there is
 that may arise throughout your police career and into   to what we are saying, taking on board our   actually no test to assess they have taken on
 retirement.  "Not only did she help me to understand   concerns and trying to take things forward.”  Federation workplace representative Jase   board what they have been taught.
                                                                                   “You have got to be tested. To my

 how the new pension will affect me but      One of Jase’s particular concerns is that a   Sayers.  knowledge in the last 10 years no officer has
 If you're struggling to understand what workplace   she also helped save me money!"  former session spent training officers in   and cannot be learned by watching a video   failed personal safety refresher training, I
       vehicles skills – how to contain a car, how to
 benefits are available to you and your dependents,    Serving police officer Bennett, 2019  get people out of a car – has now been   or simply being told how to do it. For me,   don’t think this can be right,” he explains,
 George Burrows could help. They have arranged for   removed from the practical training   there is an over-reliance on NCALT   adding that some officers, including those in
 Caroline Harris, a financial welfare specialist with   "Visiting Caroline Harris was well  worth the   programme.  throughout the training that is now   CID, now only do two days’ officer safety
                                                                                training every two years.
         “I worked as a personal safety training
 over 25 years' experience, to work alongside the   time. She helped put my mind at rest with     instructor with the Force for eight years. For   provided. It is easy to send a link to an online      “Two years is a long time between
                                           tutorial but this can seem like a tick box
 police Federation and provide detailed information on   informed information  rather than guess   this session, we would have a car and use it   exercise.  refresher training when your role does not
 the range of pensions and schemes available to you.  work" Serving police officer Skidmore, 2019  to fully demonstrate the techniques officers      “There is no one-size fits all for safety   require you to use the skill set on a daily
       can use to either forcibly keep someone in a   training but for me, and I know many others   basis.”
       car or to take them out if necessary,” he   who are the same, I learn far better if      Jase, who is National Examination Board
 to one and find out how the Police Federations scheme   "Caroline cleared up any doubts about my   explains.  someone shows me how to do it and then   Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH)
 could help you.  pension and helped me understand my      “These are really important techniques   watches as I repeat what I have been shown.  trained, is working closely with Chief
 Contact the Federation to arrange your   tax code better, which has resulted in a   Inspector Allan Green, who is the head of
 To book simply call:  tax refund. I highly recommend any officer   “ There is no one-size fits all for safety   learning and development, to try to bring
 free, confidential one to one support.
                                                                                about improvements to the way officers are
 who is close to retirement come and
                                                                                trained.
                 training but for me, and I know many
 0121 752 4900  speak to her." Serving police officer Shippam, 2019  others who are the same, I learn far better     to see changed is the separate courses for
                                                                                   One element of the training Jase wants
                                                                                Taser and officer safety training. He believes
 Appointments take place at Guardians House  if someone shows me how to do it and   there needs to be an overlap between the
                                                                                two.
 Appointments take place at Guardians House
                                                                                   “These two subject matters are closely
                 then watches as I repeat what I have                             linked but are trained completely
 West Midlands Police Federation is an Appointed Representative of George Burrows. George Burrows   been shown.  separately,” he says.
 Replace with: West Midlands Police Federation is an Appointed Representative of George Burrows.
 is a trading name of Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorized and regulated by   “
 George Burrows is a trading name of Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised
 the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 7th Floor, 55 Blythswood Street,
 and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 7th Floor, 55
 Glasgow, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.
 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered  in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.
 www.ajg.com/uk  www.polfed.org/westmids                       federation December 2019/January 2020      09
 GB1432/FP459-2019/V3
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