Page 6 - WMPF December-January Magazine.url_Neat

A message

from the Chief

Constable

I think we are all looking back at 2020 as restrictions on liberty ever imposed.
something of a blur. I am so proud of what you have done
This year we have all been through what and how you have done it. Common sense
would have been unthinkable to us all last policing, sound planning, good humour
Christmas. The initial lockdown featured and a firm but friendly style has seen us
rainbow pictures, clapping for carers and navigate these times. It has been a team
deserted streets. The end of Lockdown 1 was game.
a relief and, as we built back, the autumn The amazing work to ensure you have
and winter spikes have hit us hard. We are the right PPE was incredible, the hard work
missing family, friends and this year will see of our trace teams, the work on creating
none of the celebrating we do as teams. Covid secure work places and the
Coming together as colleagues, brothers and distribution of IT has made it all possible. children and our elderly may see less of their
sisters is so much of what makes policing a We have also had to carry on providing families. As a Force, we are making a big
family. normal business as violence and crimes charitable Christmas push. I hope you can all
In policing we fight short battles and not like domestic abuse have soared. Well join in so we can continue to help those in
long wars. This is a long war and it has done. As this returns to a new normal, I need at this special time.
required us to be thoughtful on how we keep shall be looking at how we recognise these Have a great Christmas… and we really
the public on track with these restrictions. achievements. do need a ‘Happy New Year’.
We have been asked to do something we Finally, this Christmas will be one of
have never done since our founding in 1829; hardship for those who have lost jobs, it By Dave Thompson, Chief Constable of West
police the most extreme personal will mean Christmas is frugal for many Midlands Police

Public sector pay

freeze ‘disgraceful’

ewarding the police officers and other public sector “We are currently in the midst of the largest-scale
workers who led the nation’s response to the pandemic recruitment process for many years, after almost a decade of
Rwith a pay freeze is disgraceful, says West Midlands falling officer numbers due to Government funding cuts, but
Police Federation chair Jon Nott. how are we going to attract the right calibre of recruits when
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced during a Spending officer pay is becoming less and less attractive, particularly
Review statement, on 25 November that most public sector when you consider the very real dangers police face on the
workers would be subjected to a pay freeze. streets?”
“Police officers have been on the frontline throughout the Incremental pay rises are unaffected by the pay freeze.
pandemic, not only putting their own health at risk but also National Federation chair John Apter has also condemned
knowing that they could be taking the virus back to their own the Chancellor’s announcement.
families,” says Jon. On the day of the Spending Review, he said: “I appreciate
“They have had to adapt to changes to Government the devil will be in the detail, but the headlines from today’s
guidelines over and over again and then work with their announcement do nothing to show appreciation to police
communities to encourage people to work within those officers and other public sector workers who have kept the
restrictions. wheels turning during 2020.”
“They have given their all and yet this appears to have been John added: “A handful of officers will get the additional
totally ignored by the Government. This is going to be a further £250 for the lowest paid workers, but only those who are
blow to officers who have suffered 18 per cent cuts to their pay already on an appallingly low starting salary for the
in real terms during the austerity years. dangerous job they do.”

06 federation December 2020/January 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids