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20 A West Midlands Police officer told how Addressing the House of Commons at
she ran this year’s Virgin Money London Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Fletcher
Marathon in memory of her brother, said West Midlands Police had lost 2,221
world judo champion Craig Fallon, who officers between 2010 and 2019 and
took his own life following his battle would still be 1,000 officers short even if
with depression. PC Tina Fallon-Hancock Mr Johnson’s uplift programme achieved
completed the 26-mile route to raise its goal.
more than £4,400 for mental health The Labour MP said: “This lack of
charity Mind. frontline officers has left police stretched
and under significant pressure with
8 A West Midlands Police sergeant who officers actually telling me there are
organised a run which has raised almost insufficient resources to investigate
£2,000 for Cancer Research UK in honour every crime.”
of a colleague who is battling the Mr Johnson said the Government
disease described how he was “blown remained “on track” to recruit 20,000
away” by the support and generosity of police nationally.
fellow officers and friends. Matt Cooper’s
friend and colleague PC Donna Kelly was
diagnosed with breast cancer in July
2020 and has undergone surgery, eight
rounds of chemotherapy and
radiotherapy.

11 The West Midlands branch of the Police
Federation took part in a service of
remembrance at Tally Ho. Interim
secretary Tim Rogers laid a wreath as
part of the service, as did Chief Constable
24 A team of determined runners, including
officers and staff from the Force, took David Thompson, Police and Crime
part in the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Commissioner Simon Foster and John
Marathon and Half Marathon to help Williams, chair of the West Midlands
raise almost £61,000 for a charity fund Police Benevolent Fund.
set up in the name of former West
Midlands Assistant Chief Constable Chris 24 The Government backs a campaign by PC
Johnson. Andrew Harper’s widow calling for those
who kill emergency service workers to be
27 A row broke out over the disparity in given mandatory life sentences. The
payments being made to officers Ministry of Justice will pass Harper’s Law
deployed to the COP26 United Nations in England and Wales as soon as 3 A West Midlands Police officer won the
climate change summit in Glasgow. possible. Regional Award for the Midlands at the
Officers, including around 450 from West December 2021 Police Bravery Awards after being
Midlands Police, were held in reserve for nominated for tackling a knifeman who
the whole time they were in Scotland 1 Rich Cooke said he was delighted to be stabbed an emergency services worker in
and had to be available to be deployed elected as the chair of West Midlands the heart.
within four hours on their rest days. But Police Federation after a members’ vote PC Mat Evans joined fellow nominees
the Federation argued this meant and paid tribute to his predecessor Jon from forces across England and Wales at
officers could not get proper rest days Nott. the awards ceremony in London which
since it placed unreasonable and He said: “A massive thanks to all who was also attended by policing minister
uncompensated restrictions on them. have voted. I’m delighted to have been Kit Malthouse, shadow home secretary
elected. I have enjoyed the campaign, Yvette Cooper and Metropolitan Police
28 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) meeting officers in wide and varied roles Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
were urged by West Midlands Police around the Force. It’s given me a greater He took along his brother, Richard, as
Federation interim secretary Tim Rogers appreciation of the challenges we his guest and was also joined at the
to do all they could to ensure funds were collectively face. awards ceremony by Rich Cooke, chair of
available to give police officers the “My personal thanks to Jon who has West Midlands Police Federation, and the
significant pay rise they deserve. worked hard for our members during Chief Constable Sir David Thompson.
this difficult period. I am very much Mat said: “The highlight was getting
November looking forward to the future and what to know the other nominees and
we can achieve together to help ease the swapping war stories and jokes. By the
1 The annual Police Federation pay and end of the three days strangers were
morale survey was launched. Members unprecedented demands on colleagues.” mates.
are urged to take part. “It was the perfect reminder that the
3 Coventry MP Colleen Fletcher told Prime
Minister Boris Johnson that West police is a big family, and once you know
Midlands Police was under “significant someone is Job, regardless of rank or
pressure” because of the fall in officer background, there’s that instant
numbers over the past 10 years and connection. That feeling of mutual
called for extra funding. respect and kinship was the best bit by
far.”

www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2021/January 2022 21