Page 11 - WMPF Federation FEB-MAR 2022_Neat

Sid takes on deputy

secretary role

ith an analytical approach to
problem-solving, Chris James wants
Wto make a long-term commitment to
the Federation for the benefit of members and
the organisation as a whole.
Chris, known as Sid in a nod to the British
comedy actor, was elected as the deputy
secretary of West Midlands Police Federation
in December and started his new full-time role
at Guardians House early in January.
“It has been a massive change from my
former role in the Force support unit at Tipton,”
says Sid, who has been a workplace Federation
rep since 2018.
“ I AM STILL YOUNGISH IN

SERVICE AND QUITE YOUNG TO
BE IN THIS POSITION SO I CAN

MAKE A LONG-TERM
COMMITMENT TO THE New West Midlands
Police Federation deputy
secretary Chris (Sid)
FEDERATION AND I THINK THIS James.
WILL BENEFIT THE MEMBERS

IN TERMS OF THE FACT THAT I
CAN OFFER SOME CONTINUITY.

“I am still youngish in service and quite Federation to improve the CMS time log
young to be in this position so I can make a system to enable reps to more easily record
“But I am adjusting to that change and long-term commitment to the Federation the time they have spent on Federation work.
already starting to settle in. Having been a rep and I think this will benefit the members in And, while acknowledging that the West
for four years, I have considerable experience terms of the fact that I can offer some Midlands Police Federation branch is one of
of dealing with a wide range of issues but, of continuity.” the most efficient in the country, he is now on
course, I was workplace based so was fitting in While a workplace rep, Sid was a mission to try to make it the most green
my Fed work around my full-time position with instrumental in securing a Federation branch with plans afoot to reduce its carbon
the Force. welfare van under a joint initiative with the footprint.
“I am trained as a CAPLO so have handled Force and this new vehicle is expected to be “I have lots of ideas for how we can
conduct cases and more recently I have delivered in the spring. improve and I am really looking forward to
completed an equality course. But alongside He has also secured chairs and pop-up getting my teeth into these,” Chris says.
this, I became a Federation trustee 18 months tents that will be available to officers who Chris will work closely with Tim Rogers,
ago so I have a good understanding of the are preserving crime scenes or otherwise the former deputy secretary and more recently
finances and my analytical approach helps exposed to the elements for long periods. interim secretary, who has now been elected
with this. Sid is working with the national as branch secretary.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation February/March 2022 11