Page 5 - WMPF Federation FebMar2021-Hi_Neat

THIS EDITION: IN NUMBERS

1,688 September classed by the Crown Prosecution Service as
Johnson in 2019, is also gathering pace. So The number of offences recorded between 1 April and 30
far this year we have already welcomed 96
new recruits to the Force and this level of assaults on emergency service workers.
recruitment is expected to continue
throughout 2021. The number of reported hate crime incidents
These officers will help boost our 287
numbers but we all understand that it will connected to football matches in England and Wales
be some time before they make a real last season.
difference in terms of helping share the
workload. Our numbers declined over a long The percentage of West Midlands officers who said there
period of time under the austerity measures 83 weren’t enough officers in their team/unit to do the job
and over that same period we saw an
increase in demand. This demand was due properly when responding to the annual Police Federation
to surges in what we would consider demand, capacity and welfare survey.
traditional crimes, new and emerging
offences and, it has to be said, the fact that The percentage of West Midlands officers who said they
we are the service of first and last resort, 77 had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety, or
there to pick up the pieces when other other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the
organisations did not, or could not, help due
to cuts to their own funding. last 12 months, when responding to the annual Police
In another bit of good news, I would like Federation demand, capacity and welfare survey.
to let you all know that we have agreed to
jointly fund a welfare van for officers. This the percentage of members who said they worried
initiative, in partnership with the Force, will 35
mean we have a vehicle on hand for those about their finances on a daily basis when responding
involved in policing major events and to the pay and morale survey.
incidents or stuck at scenes or cordons.
facilities on board too – and somewhere for Federation calls for
It will provide toilet facilities, a place to

take refreshments – with hot drink-making
We will keep you updated on progress inflation linked pay rise
officers to wash their hands or just take a
break.

with this and hope that you are soon able to
see the benefits of the welfare van. The Police Federation of England and Wales may be pointless but was necessary.
On Page 6, you will see the preliminary (PFEW) has requested a three per cent pay He explained: “Police officers have been
report as a result of the pensions survey I rise as part of its annual submission to the at the forefront of this pandemic and
instigated having set up our Pensions Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB). continue to put themselves and their
Working Group. While there is a way to go The submission is made jointly with the families at risk, working long hours every day
before we can make a final decision, I would Superintendents’ Association. to keep the public safe during these
like to thank all members who took the Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police unprecedented times.”
time to fill out the pensions survey. The Federation, said: “Police officers have risen to The Federation is also questioning the
working group will continue its focus on the challenge of policing the pandemic and Government’s decision to freeze pay when
this work and we will report back again their pay should be kept in line with inflation. the Spending Review awarded forces budgets
after the May Branch Council meeting. They have been, and still are, on the frontline to include officers being recognised for their
Finally, I would just like to put on record, dealing with this pandemic, risking their own work over the last 10 months.
once more, my thanks to everyone at WMP health and wellbeing as well as their families. Alex added: “The Home Secretary states
for their sterling work during the pandemic. “Not only have officers being responding in the remit letter that the Government only
It has been an incredibly challenging time to all the usual demands for their help but took that decision in extraordinary
with the lockdown laws, regulations and they have also been trying to work with the circumstances but this is the fifth out of
guidance changing over and over again. public to ensure that they are complying seven PRRB rounds that vital evidence has
Police officers – and our police staff and with the latest Government guidance and been completely disregarded.
Specials – have been at the forefront of the restrictions during the various stages of “Vital work goes into informing
nation’s response to the pandemic, often lockdowns and this has added to the submissions made to the PRRB and it is
putting their physical health at risk and pressures they are under. disheartening to see this being ignored time
impacting on their mental wellbeing. “They are continuing to do all they can to and time again. You cannot blame us for
If any officer is feeling the strain or protect communities and keep them safe so questioning whether this process is
struggling due to the ongoing pressures of rewarding their efforts with a financial ‘thank effective.”
policing the pandemic, please contact your you’ would be a tangible sign that the The Federation will seek the three per
Federation representative or the full-time Government recognises their critical role in cent pay rise for all officers and a ‘thank you’
team. You are not alone. Support is available the nation’s response to Covid-19.” payment on the basis that an uplift is
whether you need help with your physical, National Federation secretary Alex feasible in budget terms and that the private
mental or financial wellbeing. Duncan said asking for an increase in officer sector has rewarded key workers with a
Stay safe. pay after public sector pay has been frozen similar payment.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation February/March 2021 05