Page 18 - WMPF Federation Dec-Jan 2021_Neat

17 Police Federation chair John Apter said it 20 Police forces were praised for their
was vital that officers continued to work ‘immediate and decisive” action in 28 West Midlands Police Federation called
with politicians as he and Home responding to the extreme for assaults on police officers to be
Secretary Priti Patel acknowledged the circumstances of the pandemic in a punished with the maximum sentences
strengthening relationship between the report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate available under new guidelines.
Federation and the Government. John’s of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue
comments come after Ms Patel praised Services (HMICFRS).
the Police Federation in a Parliamentary
debate during the second reading of the 28
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

June

9 The Police Federation’s annual national
conference got underway and was being
held online for the first time. The theme
of the conference
was Policing Under
Pressure and
during the
two-day event
The Police Treatment Centres (PTC) leading figures in
re-opened their doors after being policing were
temporarily forced to close due to the involved in
Covid-19 pandemic. The re-opening of discussions on a
the centres coincided with the hand-over wide range of
of the new Clinical Services Wing, a issues such as
multi-million-pound project that assaults on officers, trial by media,
increased the number of bedrooms at policing protests and police driver
The Home Secretary told MPs: “We do the Harrogate centre by 20. legislation. Conference highlights
ask our brave police officers to do the included Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s
most difficult of jobs. They run towards surprise virtual address to open the
danger to keep us all safe. That is why May conference and speeches by Home
I’ve worked closely with the Police 10 A West Midlands PC named as the Force’s Secretary Priti Patel and Federation chair
Federation in developing this bill.” ‘Dog Handler of the Year’ promised to John Apter.
share his award with four-legged
23 West Midlands Police Federation sidekick Vapour. PC Andy Rudnicki 10 West Midlands
supported the National Day of clinched the title after being nominated Police Federation
Reflection. The event marked a year to by his colleagues as a dedicated member deputy secretary
the date that Prime Minister Boris of the team. Tim Rogers was
Johnson told everyone to stay at home on the panel of
when announcing a national lockdown 11 Former West Midlands Police Federation experts
to try to halt the spread of Covid-19. A chair Jon Nott congratulated Simon discussing
minute’s silence was held to remember Foster after he was elected as the Driving Change
all those who lost their lives during the region’s new Police and Crime at the annual
pandemic. Commissioner (PCC). Police Federation
conference,
April 11 Two West Midlands Police officers were which was held virtually. Tim, the
honoured at the prestigious Pride of Federation’s national pursuits and driver
Birmingham Awards for the unique training lead, said: “We know that roads
contributions they make to their policing and the treatment of officers is
communities. Frontline officer Emad a huge issue for many of our members.
Choudhury, who is also an Imam at his We’re making big strides with our
local mosque, received the Emergency campaign work and are having an
Services Award while Skye Morden, who impact at all levels from Government
has served with WMP for 20 years and down but there’s still plenty of work to
recently came out as a transgender do and we’ll keep campaigning in the
woman, received a Special Recognition best interests of our members.”
14 Steve Grange welcomed a mental health Award.
toolkit launched by mental health 12 West Midlands
charity Mind and designed specifically to 20 West Midlands dog PC Stewart
support police officers and other handler PC Paul Hopley (Stew) Bladen
emergency service workers during the received the Force’s was awarded
ongoing pandemic. “Dog Action of the the Queen’s
Year” Award, alongside Police Medal
police dog Stark and (QPM) in the
told how “incredibly Queen’s Birthday
proud” he was of his Honours.
four-legged partner.
18 federation December 2021/January 2022 www.polfed.org/westmids