Page 5 - WMPF Federation Dec-Jan 2021_Neat

the case for and rediscover. I intend to do this
- but I fear it will be a long road. The paradigm Pensions update
shift in Government thinking - to place
policing as a top priority, with pay and West Midlands Police Federation’s 2015 scheme.
conditions to match, instead of on a par with Pensions Working Group (PWG) has once The report indicated that for some
departments like overseas development - will again discussed ongoing issues around the members of the 2006 scheme, having the
take a massive effort to achieve. Nevertheless, introduction of the 2015 CARE Pension remedy period in the 2015 scheme would
it can be done and we in the Federation must Scheme. increase their pension benefits. The
never settle for simply managing bad news, Since then Sid James, a Federation implications of this, particularly in relation
rather we must find ways to seize the agenda. workplace representative sitting on the to fees for those in the Leigh Day challenge,
We have seen an influx of student officers PWG, has been informed the Financial are being explored.
which, while very welcome, creates its own Ombudsman Service (FOS) has upheld a Sid has also given an update in terms of
pressures and strains. The necessity to rotate decision by ARC, which was part of the the online survey of members carried out
student officers frequently is obvious under Group Insurance Scheme, not to pay the by the PWG.
our operating model, but to constantly cast Leigh Day fees. He said: “The group are cognisant that
them to disparate locations of the Force Sid explained: “This is disappointing as there have been limited updates since the
seems to have little logic. I really feel and see success would have opened up results of the survey were revealed. We are
the strain enthusiastic, usually young minds, opportunity for all subscribing members aware of the strength of feeling
are under. They must combine unique of our Group Insurance Scheme to claim surrounding this area and that the majority
pressures - regular changes of team, physical their Leigh Day fees. However, having of those surveyed feel the Federation
location and subject matter with ensuring reviewed the decision, the working group should pay some or all of the legal fees for
their academic work and assessments are up agreed there was no realistic prospect of those in the Leigh Day challenge.
to date. success in an appeal to the ombudsman.” “This is not a view that has been
And, at the end of it all, most find During the latest PWG meeting, a dismissed. However, due to the various
themselves forced into the office-based report from a pensions actuary moving parts and unknowns, including
working environments of Force CID or PPU as commissioned by the group was discussed. ongoing legal action, we are not in a
permanent postings after two or three years This report looked at whether position to make a decision at this time but
in the job. If that had happened to me as a members who were previously in the 2006 please be assured that we are looking to
24-year-old newly substantive officer, I’m pensions scheme would be better having how best we can get our members’ wishes
certain I’d have quit or more likely looked to the remedy period in the 2006 scheme or realised.”
transfer to another force. That is clearly the
danger now and we desperately need to
retain our students as well as our experienced Officer numbers raised in PMQs
older officers.
The continuing uncertainty over pensions Boris Johnson has come under fire over officers between 2010 and 2019 and would
is very destabilising to many officers of my policing numbers in the West Midlands still be 1,000 officers short even if Mr
generation and beyond. The botched reforms after insisting the Government was on Johnson’s uplift programme achieved its
of the last decade and subsequent, ultimately target to recruit 20,000 new officers across goal.
successful, legal challenges, known as “The the country. The Labour MP said: “This lack of
Pension Challenge” will likely mean that many Coventry MP Colleen Fletcher warned frontline officers has left police stretched
of us will be entitled to much more valuable the Force was under “significant pressure” and under significant pressure with officers
pensions, based on our original schemes. because of the fall in officer numbers over actually telling me there are insufficient
For others it will be a closer weighing of the past 10 years and called on the Prime resources to investigate every crime.”
options when the time comes. But now, with Minister to provide extra funding. Mr Johnson said the Government
a new year approaching, is the time for the Addressing the House of Commons at remained “on track” to recruit 20,000 police
Police Federation of England and Wales Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Fletcher nationally.
(PFEW) to move beyond the internal conflicts said West Midlands Police had lost 2,221 l Officer uplift – see Page 11.
that have raged over this issue during the last
seven years. I felt passionately that I had to Mental health support: consistency needed
challenge the Government over the
discrimination I suffered, I wish PFEW had West Midlands Police Federation is urging across police, fire, ambulance, and search
done this on my behalf. But the past cannot members not to suffer in silence and and rescue from the four nations come
be changed. As a wise man once said to me: welcomed moves to adopt a uniform set of together for the first time to address the
“You can only change what happens standards for supporting the mental mental health of their workforces.
tomorrow.” The Federation must now come health of officers.
together in a new spirit of activism, and The branch hopes a pledge signed by NPCC chair Martin Hewitt signed the
challenge on behalf of its members wherever the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Mental Health at Work Commitment,
possible. Risks must be taken in pursuit of big will break down barriers and stigmas for endorsing six standards, including
prizes. In my dealings on behalf of West Mids officers in seeking the support they need. declaring mental health is, and will remain,
Fed this is exactly what I intend to do. It follows the Royal Foundation’s a strategic priority, and encouraging forces
I wish all our members and their families Emergency Services Mental Health to promote an open culture around mental
from all the great faiths and none, a very Symposium, which saw 200 leaders from health.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2021/January 2022 05