Page 14 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2021-flip_Neat

Federation farewell

‘I’ve done my

best a to be a

good custodian

of the role’

est Midlands Police Federation
secretary Steve Grange is
Wencouraging officers to put
themselves forwards to be workplace
representatives as he prepares to retire from
service.
Steve is retiring after 30 years’ service
with the Force and 15 years representing
members for the Federation.
And he used the occasion of his
retirement to urge officers to become Fed
reps.
“Do it to make a difference for your
colleagues by supporting those you work
with,” he said. “Realise that you have the
skills that are required to do the role from
the skills you possess to do the job you
already do.
“It doesn’t require any special
qualifications to talk to people and
determine their needs, to use your
experience to identify what’s required, and
have conversations with managers and
senior leaders to attempt to negotiate Steve Grange relaxing with companion Parsley.
mutually agreeable solutions. “Reps need to take responsibility for split up just before I joined – I don’t think
“The Federation will provide you with immediate actions to resolve matters swiftly she joined the police.”
further and advanced training if you want to and appropriately for the benefit of both the His first posting was to A Unit on the old
specialise in certain aspects of the role.” member and the Force.” K1 sub-division, working out of West
He added: “Providing good Steve joined West Midlands Police in Bromwich Police Station.
representation in the workplace is key and September 1991. And his abilities as a middle-distance
“My first girlfriend wanted to be a copper
the new elections will be the first step to and she sold me on the idea,” he said, “We runner helped detain a suspect as a trainee.

ensuring this is the case.
He explained: “A vehicle reg of a stolen
“ Providing good representation in the car was given out on parade. Two officers
spotted the vehicle while we were patrolling
a local housing estate.
workplace is key and the new elections

“A pursuit ensued and the driver
will be the first step to ensuring this is the decamped at a dead end and ran across a
park at the back of the houses.
“I gave chase to a very fit offender but,
case. “ being young myself and a county standard
14 federation August/September 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids