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CONFERENCE SPECIAL JUNE 2012 Chwarae Teg “fair play” dy fed powys THE NEWSLETTER OF POLICE FEDERATION ‘Take your share of the pain’ Stood in front of a backdrop calling the cuts to policing ‘criminal’, Home Secretary Theresa May urged officers to ‘stop pretending they are being picked on’. She said the police service needed to ‘take its share of the pain’ as the Government battles to balance the books as she delivered her keynote speech to a packed hall on the Wednesday morning of conference week. She admitted the 20 per cent cuts came down to money but was adamant there was need for reform. As she took to the stage she was greeted by silence from the rank and file officers, many of whom were holding up banners placards with ‘Enough is enough’ written on them. She said: “There is so much to be proud of in British policing. But that doesn’t mean that everything in policing is perfect. And it doesn’t mean that there is no need for reform. “The cuts will be challenging, they will involve hard choices, but they are manageable and they are affordable. I know the Fed often say we’re singling out the police. But that simply isn’t true.” Adamant the reforms in the Winsor review are in the ‘long-term interest of policing’, she said: “Let’s be clear about what the Winsor proposals actually mean. “Total savings of less than two per cent of the police officer pay bill; skills, hard work and front-line officers rewarded; a new unsocial hours allowance; faster progression through the pay scales; and Home Secretary Theresa May. every single penny of savings ploughed back into policing. “You will remain the best paid of all the emergency services - and that is what you deserve to be.” She added that the right to strike was ‘not on the table’ as keeping communities safe was ‘simply too important’. With the privatisation of the police service hitting the headlines recently, it was no wonder Ms May spoke about her visions for the future of the private sector in what has been described as ‘the best police service in the world’. She said back office functions, such as new technology and staff for control rooms and custody centres could be contracted out, freeing up warranted officers for front-line roles, but that she would ‘never privatise policing’. And Ms May was heckled by the audience when she told them they should welcome reforms which will bring in outsiders to some of the more senior ranks. However, she did promise to help cut the amount of paperwork officers had to complete, giving them more time to be out patrolling the streets and she announced officers were to be given more powers to prosecute cases themselves - starting with traffic offences when defendants don’t turn up to court. She also pledged more money for treatment centres to help injured officers and said mentally ill offenders and victims will be looked after by the NHS – not the police. She concluded: “The office of constable is the bedrock of British policing. And that is something that we will never change. “But policing does need change. I know that change can be difficult, unsettling, sometimes even painful. But it’s my job to tell it like it is, not how we’d like it to be. “It’s my job to do what’s right for policing and right for the country. And it’s my job to reform policing so it is fit to face the future. Less paperwork; more police work. More power for the public; less power for the bureaucrats. And freeing the finest police officers in the world to fight crime. “That is my vision for policing; and that is what I am determined to deliver.”

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Page 1: Chwarae Teg SPECIAL JUNE 2012 “fair play” · traffic offences when defendants don’t turn up to court. She also pledged more money for treatment centres to help injured officers

CONFERENCE

SPECIAL JUNE 2012Chwarae Teg“fair play” dyfedpowys

THE NEWSLETTER OF

POLICE FEDERATION

‘Take your share of the pain’

Stood in front of a backdrop calling the cuts to policing ‘criminal’, Home Secretary Theresa May urged officers to ‘stop pretending they are being picked on’. She said the police service needed to ‘take its share of the pain’ as the Government battles to balance the books as she delivered her keynote speech to a packed hall on the Wednesday morning of conference week. She admitted the 20 per cent cuts came down to money but was adamant there was need for reform. As she took to the stage she was greeted by silence from the rank and file officers, many of whom were holding up banners placards with ‘Enough is enough’ written on them.

She said: “There is so much to be proud of in British policing. But that doesn’t mean that everything in policing is perfect. And it doesn’t mean that there is no need for reform. “The cuts will be challenging, they will involve hard choices, but they are manageable and they are affordable. I know the Fed often say we’re singling out the police. But that simply isn’t true.” Adamant the reforms in the Winsor review are in the ‘long-term interest of policing’, she said: “Let’s be clear about what the Winsor proposals actually mean. “Total savings of less than two per cent of the police officer pay bill; skills, hard work and front-line officers rewarded; a new unsocial hours allowance; faster progression through the pay scales; and

Home Secretary Theresa May.

every single penny of savings ploughed back into policing. “You will remain the best paid of all the emergency services - and that is what you deserve to be.” She added that the right to strike was ‘not on the table’ as keeping communities safe was ‘simply too important’. With the privatisation of the police service hitting the headlines recently, it was no wonder Ms May spoke about her visions for the future of the private sector in what has been described as ‘the best police service in the world’. She said back office functions, such as new technology and staff for control rooms and custody centres could be contracted out, freeing up warranted officers for front-line roles, but that she would ‘never privatise policing’. And Ms May was heckled by the audience when she told them they should welcome reforms which will bring in outsiders to some of the more senior ranks. However, she did promise to help cut the amount of paperwork officers had to complete, giving them more time to be out patrolling the streets and she announced officers were to be given more powers to prosecute cases themselves - starting with traffic offences when defendants don’t turn up to court. She also pledged more money for treatment centres to help injured officers and said mentally ill offenders and victims will be looked after by the NHS – not the police. She concluded: “The office of constable is the bedrock of British policing. And that is something that we will never change. “But policing does need change. I know that change can be difficult, unsettling, sometimes even painful. But it’s my job to tell it like it is, not how we’d like it to be. “It’s my job to do what’s right for policing and right for the country. And it’s my job to reform policing so it is fit to face the future. Less paperwork; more police work. More power for the public; less power for the bureaucrats. And freeing the finest police officers in the world to fight crime. “That is my vision for policing; and that is what I am determined to deliver.”

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Dyfed Powys Police Federation www.dppf.org Page 2

The Government has been warned it is racing towards a train crash that could destroy the effectiveness of policing and damage public safety. The warning came from Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever who, in his keynote address to conference, urged Theresa May to slow the pace of the

Cuts put public safety at risk, chairman warns

‘reckless’ changes to the police service. “Home Secretary - take breath. Stop now, and review what you’re doing or you will be found guilty of destroying the finest police service in the world.” The coalition Government was giving everyone a bad deal – officers, the police service and the public, he explained.

Officers were facing a four-year pay freeze, paying more for their pensions, losing pay through Winsor 1 and 2 and were feeling less safe due to their reduced numbers. “You cannot expect officers, those who understood the fiscal situation and accepted that some cuts were necessary, to take an unfair share of the cuts and just sit there and be content with their lot,” he said. Meanwhile, the service was suffering. “We have less resilience; fewer warranted officers, a weakened front-line and a radically altered model of British policing. You are on the precipice of destroying a police service that is admired and replicated throughout the world. “Home Secretary, we are seeing proposals, things being put in place without infrastructure, that will fundamentally change the dynamics of policing.” He expressed concerns about the role of police and crime commissioners, increased privatisation but said the most serious changes affected the office of constable.”

Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever.

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“If you were to look at us from a business point of view, what would be our biggest strength? Trust, independence, fairness, integrity, compassion, understanding - it is an office the public respect and understand - communities identify with constables,” the chairman explained. “You need to think about this very carefully – you are meddling with the very bedrock of British policing.” “This is a slippery slope that you are leading policing down, Home Secretary. Why you are doing this is something we cannot comprehend. It shifts the balance from police officers being officers of the crown to being employees. “It is for that reason, that many are calling for the question to be asked whether we should be seeking full employment rights for them.” He said the public would suffer too since 20 per cent less budget would mean less crime-fighting, resilience, public and police officer safety. Earlier in his speech, he argued the new

professional body due to be set up in November would set the service on a course based wholly on academia at the expense of practical skills. “We have seen other parts of the public sector, such as nursing, move away from technical skills and the core values of that profession appear to have been diminished. The Prime Minister himself has alluded to this,” the chairman said. “Home Secretary – do not make the same mistake with policing. It is the type of person we recruit, the training and support we provide, the values we hold and appropriate remuneration and conditions of service that makes a profession. “We never lose sight of the fact that we are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. Our core values are compassion, empathy, discretion, bravery and the ability to work autonomously. “We do not need a professional body; it completely misunderstands what it means to hold the independent office of constable.” He told the Home Secretary that she was getting it wrong, and ignoring the advice offered by the Federation. “We tried to warn you about areas of real concern. We warned you about the potential for riots and even showed you a

You cannot expect officers, those who understood the fiscal situation and accepted that some cuts were necessary, to take an unfair share of the cuts and just sit there and be content with their lot.

film to the tune of ‘I predict a riot’. We were accused of scaremongering. But you only have to look at what happened last summer,” he explained, adding that 16,000 officers had to restore order in London, the same number that will be lost over four years. “The resilience of the service is going. We saw the worst riots in our country’s history. Five dead, many homeless and thousands of businesses damaged and destroyed. In London alone 250 police officers were injured. Our image abroad was damaged - how much overseas investment has been lost?” And he added: “Home Secretary, quite simply, you were wrong.” Around 5,216 officers had been lost from the front-line – which the Home Secretary had said would be protected from the cuts. Finishing his speech, he concluded: “Home Secretary, we warned you about the riots and you said we were scaremongering. “We warned you that a 20 per cent budget cut would damage the front-line and were told we were wrong. “We are warning you that you are racing towards a train crash that could destroy the effectiveness of policing in this country and harm the safety of the public.”

‘‘

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Dyfed Powys Police Federation www.dppf.org Page 4

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If the Home Secretary is still in office and if she attends Police Federation conference next year, she will probably be hoping that one delegate does not go for a hat-trick and stand up to ask her a question. Last year, Sarah Adams from Derbyshire put Theresa May on the spot with the final question of the Q and A session when she asked: “Home Secretary, how can you expect police officers or the communities we serve to trust you or your Government?” This year, the Home Secretary, who had already faced a barrage of questions about the cuts and the independence of Winsor’s reports, must have wished that facilitator John Stapleton had not turned to the young lady in blue for one of the final questions of the session. Sarah asked: “Home Secretary, when you employed Winsor to carry out his independent review, did you know the law firm he was a partner in was negotiating a multi-million pound ground-breaking deal for Lincolnshire Police? How can it be fair and independent if there is a vested interest?” The audience loved it. Theresa May was less impressed. The Home Secretary didn’t actually answer the question but she replied that Winsor did his review independently of the partnership and not as part of the firm. She said it was not appropriate for people to ask this because “Tom” wasn’t there. The review was done independently. No-one seemed convinced and Simon Payne, chairman in Warwickshire, told Ms May: “We no longer trust you in the police service, full stop, end of story.” The crowd applauded and heckled, calling for the Home Secretary to resign. But she countered: “When I first came to conference I talked about the deal between the police service and the Government. I want to help you to be more effective at your jobs. I am putting changes in place to help you do your job. We want to deal with the causes of crime. My vision is to maintain the office of constable because I genuinely believe we do have the finest police service in the world and I intend to deliver reforms that will enable

How can report be fair and independent?

you to carry on being that.” Sam Roberts, North Wales’ sergeants’ rep and chair of the eve of conference meeting, didn’t seem to believe her. She asked: “Do you regularly work all night? Have you told parents their child is dead? Have you faced someone with mental health issues? Have you been shot at, spat at, covered in someone else’s blood or your own? I assume the answer is no. Do you think £19,000 is enough to pay a new recruit to do these things on a weekly or daily basis?” The Home Secretary said she recognised the job police officers are doing and the proposal was to lower the entry salary and then speed up progression. But Sam replied: “To pay a probationer £19,000 is disgusting.” Other questions included in the session and the Home Secretary’s responses are summarised below.

John Apter, chairman, Hampshire: There is no shortage of people who want to be MPs. So by Winsor’s rationale, there isn’t a recruitment problem so is it time to cut MPs’ pay?

HS: This isn’t a service being picked on. Everyone in the public sector is having to go through pay freeze and pension changes. MPs have had changes to their pay and pensions. It’s Government funding to police forces being cut by 20 per cent and your percentage varies from force to force depending on the precept.

Ian Leyland, Merseyside: The pace you are currently going at means you are being reckless. Please slow down and listen. Slow down and listen to us.

John Stapleton: Home Secretary, when you saw those police officers marching last week, did it give you any pause for thought? Did you ask “is there anything we need to re-consider”?

HS: Of course we listened. We listen and talk to police officers. But the march was against funding cuts and I have responded as to why it’s necessary for these cuts to deal with the deficit. No Home Secretary

wants to come to the Police Conference to say we are cutting budgets but I said I would tell it like it is and that’s how it is. But the Winsor reform is right – we ask for the proper processes to look at this then look at what he has found in his report.

John Stapleton: What these people are saying is that Winsor has no experience of the police service, no experience of pay structures, but he came to conclusions that were pre-ordained and had a remarkable resemblance to a speech made by the Prime Minister a few years before.

HS: We asked Winsor, he wasn’t involved, he was independent, to do the review. It was open and transparent. In terms of David Cameron’s speech about six years ago, we have only ever said reform is necessary. No secret about that, we have been clear.

John Stapleton asked the chairman: So what’s wrong with an outsider doing that?

Paul McKeever: You need to take people with you. Hands up if you believe the Winsor report was truly independent? Home Secretary, I notice you didn’t raise your hand.

Steve Rees, West Mids: Question about business partnering. If you go on a certain private company’s website, they are advertising jobs in child abuse investigation etc. Is there anything you will not privatise? The fear of our members is a paramilitary police.

HS: On the privatisation issue, in Hampshire there are officers working alongside private sector companies but they do a part of some things the police would only have done themselves. There will be no movement on warranted officer powers to the private sector. We are not taking about reducing warranted officers. In places like the West Midlands and Surrey, it’s right that they are asking what the options are.

Facilitator John Stapleton.

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Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has urged the Government to ‘change course before it is too late’. She accused the coalition Government of ‘cutting too far and too fast’ in their reform of the police service and putting public safety at risk in doing so. Speaking on the opening day of the conference, Ms Cooper accused the Government of having ‘no positive vision for the future of policing’, just ‘chaos and

‘Cuts are too far and too fast’

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper.

contradictions’. She spoke about the scrapping of the NPIA with no proper plan for national training and development when it goes, the abolishment of the Forensic Science Service before sufficient quality services are available in its place and the undermining of neighbourhood policing – one of the most important and successful reforms Labour introduced – as some areas consider removing officers and leaving PCSOs alone

Two key points came out of the first session of conference – there were no plans to charge or compel officers to join the new police professional body, yet. The Professional Body Working Group presentation on Tuesday afternoon included input from Stephen Kershaw, Home Office director of police reform and resources, who did little to dispel officers’ concerns about the new body due for launch in November. John Giblin, the Federation lead in this area, explained the police service was already professional and that officers did not need to be members of a professional body to be seen as such. Officers already underwent pre-joining

to do the job. And she told delegates core policing, such as neighbourhood patrols, serious criminal investigations, or assessing high risk offenders, should not be contracted out, no matter how cheap the contract price. “Time and again the Government is failing to value the office of constable or to recognise the complex mix of skills, experience and judgment the police workforce need,” she said. “British policing is based on consent and it depends on the confidence of the communities being policed. “The public need to be confident decisions are being taken in the interests of public safety, the community or justice, not distorted by contract or profit. “We don’t want private companies on the beat on our public streets, we want crown servants, public servants, police officers doing the job to keep us safe.” She said Labour supported the 10 May march against the 20 per cent cuts, saying: “You are right, communities are being put at risk. Cutting 16,000 officers is criminal. Thank you for gathering last week to stand up for the communities you serve. Because we are seeing the real consequences now.” She went on: “Chaotic, fragmented, contradictory changes. Cuts and confusion putting at risk the very best of British policing. With no vision in its place. That’s not reform. It is destructive chaos. This Government is giving reform a bad name. Reform should make the police service better. Reform should improve the quality service to the public. Reform should make it easier not harder to cut crime or keep the streets safe. And reform should create a highly motivated, talented, committed and professional police force. “Most people think crime is still too high and they want it to come down further. And that in the end should be the joint aim of communities, the Government and the police.”

No fees for professional body – yet!assessment, then had warranted powers and a strict discipline code backed up by courses for specialisms. He raised questions over the benefits of a new professional body, how would it help improve service to the public, if it would be voluntary, would officers need a licence to practice, how would the Federation and ACPO be involved, what governance would be introduced, would officers have to pay to join and who could be a member? “There are more questions than answers,” he concluded. Stephen Kershaw accepted the Federation and Home Office might not see eye to eye on the issue but argued there was common ground.

The professional body needed to be set up following the abolition of the NPIA later this year, to improve accountability, protect the public interest in policing and improve current training, which he said was currently ‘patchy’. It would offer, he said, first class, nationally agreed standards across all specialisms, would have a role in setting standards for threshold payments and fitness tests and would identify best practice, and share it. He said it was not a membership body, there would be no joiner’s fee ‘certainly not at the beginning of its life’ and the body would have no role in complaints or misconduct matters.

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Conference week got underway with the policewomen’s eve of conference meeting on the Monday afternoon. The theme of the meeting was ‘The Police Service – fit for women?’ The meeting was chaired by Sam Roberts who explained in her introduction: “There’s a lot happening that affects women in the police service.” Great strides made in recruiting and retaining women officers were being undone by the current reform programme disproportionately affecting females. The meeting began with a minute’s silence in memory of women officers who had died in the last 12 months.

Film highlights issues faced by womenWomen officers talked about the difficulties they faced in continuing in the service due to the Winsor reports in a film shown at the start of the meeting. The film, introduced by journalist and presenter John Stapleton making his debut at the policewomen’s meeting, featured a number of officers who explained how the reform programme was affecting them. One Warwickshire officer, married to a police officer, said that she was considering whether to continue in the service due to their reduced salaries and the difficulties of balancing work and family life. A West Midlands officer said the Winsor report was not providing any kind of equality. Another said the cuts programme would mean that those officers left would have less flexibility and it was criminal that all the progress made on gender equality issues was being put back. Changes being made to the police service were making it difficult for some people – particularly women – to stay in the service, according to the Federation’s equality adviser. Jayne Monkhouse, in her annual presentation to the meeting, explained that 36 per cent of women officers with children worked part-time. Figures for 2009 showed 7,500 officers worked part-time with just 400 of those being men. So this meant the Winsor reforms were particularly affecting women and already a higher proportion of women than men were leaving the service. Flexible working, she explained, should not just be seen as something to be given as if a gift during the good times but then not to be indulged during the hard times. This was short-sighted, she said. Refusal of part-time working could be seen as sexual discrimination. The police service must make the service fit for women or it is going to lose

its operation resilience much quicker, Jane said.

Maternity drop-in sessions prove a hitMaternity drop-in sessions for pregnant women, those on maternity leave and those just back to work after having or adopting a child were proving a success in Hertfordshire, according to one inspector from the force. Inspector Karen Potton, who brought her twins to conference with her thanks to support from Hertfordshire Police Federation, said that women often felt

isolated while pregnant or on maternity leave. The Force had arranged drop-in sessions at a central location. These sessions, which were also open to police staff, and partners, were often attended by guest speakers and were becoming increasingly popular. Insp Potton also outlined how a new maternity policy had helped and explained that through collaboration with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire pregnant women were now able to easily obtain suitable uniform, with nips, tucks and elastic in all the right places.

40 per cent of women considering leaving the serviceA survey of women officers conducted as part of Lord Stevens’ review of policing has revealed that 40 per cent of them are seriously considering leaving the police service. And 30 per cent would like to stay in the service but change their job or hours. The disturbing figures were revealed by Professor Jennifer Brown from the London School of Economics and Political Science as part of her presentation on the Independent Police Commission Review of Policing being conducted by the former Met commissioner. Entitled the female police officer’s perspective, the presentation began with Prof Brown saying there had been a fantastic response – 3,424 replies – to the survey but that she had not fully analysed the figures. Key findings so far included:n 60 per cent of respondents had caring

responsibilities at homen In terms of the physical working

environment, breast feeding facilities were the least adequate when compared with temperature, shower facilities, ventilation, cold drinking water and toilets

n Part-time workers were the least satisfied with career mentoring

n Sergeants were the least satisfied with promotion prospects.

Eve of conference

Chairperson Sam Roberts.

Carole Evans was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the chairman of the women’s meeting at the eve of conference session. This year was the last conference for Carole who retires this year after 30 years’ service. Currently based at Learning Development at HQ, Carole has been a Federation rep for 15 years. Carole is pictured (centre) with chair Sam Roberts (right) and Carolyn Davies, secretary.

Saying it with flowers...

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The current recession is deeper than the others experienced in the last 100 years, according to Professor Bob Elliott, economic adviser to the Constables’ Central Committee (CCC). And the recovery is also slower than the last two recessions, he told the CCC meeting. But he said the Government’s financial policies were the ‘economics of the asylum’ and that its strategy, since not working, should be reversed, and soon. Prof Elliott also criticised the Winsor review and said there was no substantive case for further reform of policing.

Winsor reports ‘a betrayal’

New website launchedConstables now have their own website with public areas providing information for the general public and members’ access only pages for advice, support, polls and a discussion forum. The website, policeconstables.org, was launched at the Constables’ Central Committee (CCC) meeting on the Tuesday morning of conference. It aims to unify, strengthen and support constables while also promoting campaigns such as CAMRC – the Campaign for Real Constables. Constables are being urged to register with the site by 15 June to be entered into a competition with an iPad as a prize.

Constables leader Julie Nesbit has slammed the Winsor reports calling them a ‘betrayal’, saying Part 1 was a ‘body blow to policing’ and Part 2 ‘a knife in the back’. As she addressed a room full of officers, the chairman of the Constables’ Central Committee said the review into pay and conditions was a ‘betrayal of every police constable who joined the service, and committed their lives in return for a fair deal from Government.”

Constables’ Central Conference

She said: “Unadulterated implementation of Winsor’s recommendations will have long-term, lasting, and harmful effects on policing - from the quality of new recruits, to the numbers of officers available for front-line duty, and to the morale of long-serving constables. The end result will be a disillusioned public, who will initially direct their frustrations at the police, but ultimately hold their elected politicians to account.”

Economic adviser paints gloomy picture

Julie Nesbit, chairman of the Constables’ Central Committee.

She said the police service was the ‘ultimate public service’ which enables other public services to function. “It is the constable who stands between the ordinary members of the public and the threat of harm ranging from anti-social behaviour, muggers, and burglars to rapists, murderers and terrorists,” she said. “We put ourselves in harm’s way to do our job. No other civilian public service bears the physical risk of that moral purpose. “What also sets us apart is that we have no recourse to industrial action to leverage our case, though I can see our resolve on this exclusion from industrial action being increasingly tested. “The crucial point is, that there are but a handful of jobs that are considered so essential to society’s functioning that workers are banned from striking, and Constables are very much at the forefront of this select few. I believe the very least we can expect in return for this consideration is fair treatment from Government, and an acknowledgement and appreciation of our special circumstance. This must be reflected in appropriate and fair remuneration, especially if we want to continue to attract the best candidates to the service. “There can be no escaping the fact that lowering pay will discourage high-achieving applicants. Minister can you explain how exactly lower pay and worsening conditions will attract a higher calibre of police constable?” And she went on to say the Winsor review was putting lives at risk and betraying the public. “Government cuts and Winsor 2 severely affect the livelihoods of constables. Moreover, they put constables’ lives at risk, and the safety of members of the public we serve,” she said. “It will also prove to be a betrayal of the public, who deserve far more than the weakened and under-resourced shell of a police service.”

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The Government has been warned: “Don’t gamble with the future of the finest publicly accountable police service in the world.” The stark warning was issued by John Giblin during his speech to delegates at this year’s conference. “Neither we nor the public will forgive you if it all goes horribly and terribly wrong and your legacy is one of the complete destruction of a great British institution, together with the office of constable, who served it and the public so well, true to their oath, the law and the crown,” the chairman of the Sergeants’ Central Committee told the rank’s separate meeting. In a year which has seen many pressures put on the service, with the summer riots, Winsor 2 and pension changes to name a few, there was plenty for him to cover. He said: “There seems to be no end to this uncertainty that is affecting us all, irrespective of rank or policing, but especially for those teams at the sharp end of operational policing that are ably led from the front by sergeants, the backbone of the service, who on a daily basis make a real difference to members of the public in all our communities.” He told conference how during 2011 sergeant numbers dropped by four per cent – meaning those still in service had to stretch themselves even more and take on the responsibilities of inspectors as they are also decimated. “Sergeants, as the guardians of excellence in service delivery will, I know, shoulder their share of the burden that rank and responsibility brings with it. Not just our rank, but all those who hold the unique office of constable. All have a stake in the preservation of this great British institution that is policing and the public we all swore an oath to protect.”

Don’t gamble with finest police service, says sergeants’ leader

He spoke about the founder of policing by Sir Robert Peel, who started what was to become a ‘great British institution’. He continued: “(It was), conceived in good faith, based on key fundamental principles and dedicated to serving the public as citizens in uniform, without fear or favour, through the proud auspice of the office of constable. In this compact, the police are the public and the public are the police. Now we find ourselves engaged in a

struggle with a Government that know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” Touching on the pensions row he said: “We believe our well-earned pensions to be a fair reward for a job well done after a life-time of public service.” And commenting on the Government’s plan to privatise parts of policing he warned: “Let’s be under no illusion, this is an extremely hazardous road to take, and once initiated there is no going back. “The priority of the private and commercial sector has been, and always will be, the making of profit. Such enterprises are answerable to their shareholders and not to the public. Madness now reigns in a world turned upside down, where folly has ascendancy over wisdom. It takes several life-times to create a great British tradition and momentary delusional foolhardiness to destroy it.” He concluded: “We call upon the silent majority within Government to wake from their slumber and flex their voice and muscle in support of the police service as the sword and shield of law and order throughout England and Wales. “We will continue to fight with all our strength on behalf of our beleaguered membership. This is a time for us all to stand united as the Police Federation of England and Wales, all for one and one for all in the face of adversity and threat.”

John Giblin, chairman of the Sergeants’ Central Committee.

Sergeants’ Central ConferenceConstables’ questionsThere were few surprises when police and justice minister Nick Herbert found himself fielding the majority of the questions during the Constables’ Comments session. But he perhaps surprised a few delegates with some of his answers, particularly when he claimed that Winsor 2 was not taking money out of officers’ pockets – an assertion quickly refuted by the constables’ leader, Julie Nesbit – and as he pledged to work with the police service when asked about low morale and officers’ concern. “I do recognise that there is concern. It is important that the Government continues to engage with the police service,” the minister told the meeting, adding there were difficult decisions and things he could not change due to the financial crisis, “It’s important that we listen and have dialogue.” Under questioning, he revealed regional pay was not on the ‘immediate agenda’ and said the Government had no intention of giving any powers of the sworn officer to private companies. He also defended comments made before the march on 10 May when he appeared to say the event was futile, explaining that he was talking about the public sector strikes on the same day. The panel also included Sir Hugh Orde, president of ACPO, who drew laughter from the floor when he said that ACPO was entirely independent of Government. “Our job is to lead us through this process and keep the public safe. We have to get on with it with the resources we have got. The cuts could have been 25 per cent. We have to cut the cost out of everything else to retain as many sworn officers as we can,” said Sir Hugh. Other questions put to the panel included several on pensions but it was perhaps best summed up by Julie Nesbit who said all serving officers should remain in the pensions scheme they are on with any new scheme only being for new recruits.

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Inspectors’ Central Conference

Political interference and too much red tape is hindering an inspector’s ability to deliver ‘decisive and transformational leadership’. And Alan Jones, chairman of the Inspectors’ Central Committee, said politics and ‘administrative micro management’ were getting in the way of common sense decisions. “As inspectors we act as the rock of stability, guardians of operational standards, planning and delivery. We are adaptable, creative, able to prioritise and lead whilst delivering efficiency in a modern fast moving world. We are can do, will do

Inspectors - the rock of stability

people,” he told inspectors at their separate Tuesday morning meeting. “We don’t want to be steered by or answerable to paper chasing bureaucrats - we want our stars to shine in every difficult and problematic situation. To do what we are paid to do, to lead and make decisions that support, help and encourage our operational colleagues. That’s something we would support Government initiatives around and would urgently wish to be involved in discussions for the greater good.” He called on the Home Secretary to do what Margaret Thatcher dare not -

Alan Jones, chairman of the Inspectors’ Central Committee.

“The sense of duty you have in your job resonates with me” former RAF Flight Lieutenant and prisoner of war John Peters told inspectors at their separate meeting. “It’s about having the confidence that you have the support to do your duties,” he added, standing against a backdrop photograph of his beaten and bloodied face. John gave a rousing and fascinating motivational speech about his capture in 1991 during the Iraq war. With searing honesty, he told how he was stripped naked, handcuffed, beaten with baseball bats and rubber truncheons, had his hair

Former PoW admits he couldn’t be a police officer

Former PoW John Peters.

take a U-turn. “... no matter how shaky the economic foundations, it’s time to allow the service to grow from the austerity its now suffering, before inflicting any more on the hard working, dedicated and committed very thin blue line that is becoming thinner by the day. The service and the public rightly deserve and expect better,” he explained. And quoting statistics from the national survey of inspecting ranks, published in March, he said evidence suggested life for many is not only tough and difficult, but is becoming harmful to health, well-being and domestic harmony. He went on to praise the delegates for their work, saying: “The tremendous contribution you all make is quite remarkable, and that’s why we should feel positive, uplifted and encouraged by what we achieve. Our rally last week called for a huge commitment, but it energised the cause. “We are positive, determined, can do, will do people with energy, imagination and importantly have skills and talent which we can use productively to always see a brighter future.” But he called into question the need for such ‘drastic, invasive change’. “Conference, the British police service is the finest in the world. We are flexible, modern, admired and respected for our professional standards, and we are constantly striving for better things,” he said. “Our public satisfaction rating sits at 60 per cent - more than comparable to any politician. So we are completely justified to ask what is so wrong with this fine and proud service that needs such drastic, invasive change. “The job is now being undermined through a landscape of underinvestment, uncertainty, lack of cohesion and at a pace which is unacceptable and unsustainable. It’s not that difficult to understand why officers and staff are worn down, angry and disillusioned by the kicking from the political football policing has become.”

set on fire and was burnt with cigarettes. When he was then threatened with a gun put to his head unless he appeared on television, he agreed. But because it was the one thing his training had taught him never to do, he said he felt he was a weak, failed, traitor of a man. But he magnanimously acknowledged: “You deal with stuff like this every day. I just have the one story. “I couldn’t do your job, I wouldn’t presume to understand the challenges of your job but I know that to understand your weakness is to gain your greatest strength.”

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Page 13: Chwarae Teg SPECIAL JUNE 2012 “fair play” · traffic offences when defendants don’t turn up to court. She also pledged more money for treatment centres to help injured officers

With two morning sessions under his belt, police and justice minister Nick Herbert clearly knew he would be put under pressure during a question time session about the current climate in policing. He may have faced both the constables’ and inspectors’ separate meetings already but officers still had plenty of questions and the other members of the panel – Sir Hugh Orde, president of ACPO, Derek Barnett of the Superintendents’ Association, shadow police minister David Hanson, Paul McKeever, Police Federation chairman, and Javed Khan, CEO of Victim Support – were

Police minister put under pressure

pretty much sidelined, unless involved by John Stapleton who tried to bring some balance to the session. Simon Payne, chairman of Warwickshire Police Federation, quickly got to the point asking the police minister why he thought police officers wanted industrial rights. But Nick Herbert was equally clear saying he accepted there were concerns. While officers were talking about the right to strike, he did not feel they really wanted to but that they wanted to be treated fairly which they were ‘absolutely entitled’ to be. He said that proposals in Winsor 2 would be ‘properly discussed’. But Paul McKeever said the proposals would fundamentally change the police service, with severance and other proposals, effectively turning officers into employees but without the same rights and protections as other employees. John Stapleton pushed the point further when he recalled the previous week’s march and asked if the fact that virtually every off-duty police officer had attended had not even caused the Government to pause for thought. The minister pretty much stuck to the same lines he had given in the constables’ conference – he understood the concerns, it was important there was a dialogue and

added: “We believe strongly in treating police officers fairly.” But has it altered anything, the journalist asked. “The Government should listen to the concerns that are being expressed,” he conceded. And he attempted to bat off questions about the evidence in Winsor and the reviewer’s note taking accusing the Federation of ‘playing the man not the ball’. Sir Hugh added that, while he understood the sensitivities around some of the issues in Winsor 2, the reality was that cuts had to be made. Derek Barnett, leader of the Superintendents’ Association, said it was right that they stood alongside the many officers frustrated at the current plans and concerned that they were not being listened to, but argued that the conference should be a watershed and urged the Government and the officers ‘to step back from the brink and start listening to each other’. But it was perhaps Javed Khan whose views most resonated with officers when he said the cuts would make it worse for victims of crime and when he asked why the rank and file officers could not be asked for the solutions so that sustainable reform could be implemented. Other themes during the session were pensions, the adverse impact of Winsor 1 and 2 on women officers, the abolition of CRTP, fitness testing, the cutting of overseas aid, the new police and crime commissioners and the Official Side’s dismissal of the Staff Side’s alternative proposals for saving money.

Police and justice minister Nick Herbert.

The proposals in the Winsor reviews are firmly based on political ideology, says Ian Rennie, general secretary of the Police Federation. In a presentation to the Wednesday morning session on Police Pay and Conditions – The Future?, he asked what was so wrong with policing in this country that the Government needed to change it – crime was down, victim satisfaction and trust were up. “The Winsor proposals will undermine the office of constable,” he told delegates, arguing that lowering starting pay while talking about attracting better recruits was ‘quite perverse’. The Winsor reports, the general secretary claimed, were pre-ordained and were linked to David Cameron’s 2006 speech on police reform. For the Federation and for officers, opposition was not just about pay and conditions but was also about the future of policing. Earlier in the session, equality adviser Jayne Monkhouse said the proposed changes to pay and conditions could put the police service back to the 1970s in terms of its employee profile

What’s so wrong with policing?with barriers put in place to block certain people – including women – being police officers, And she admitted she could not see where Winsor had due regard for equality issues in his reviews. Changes to part-time working would have more effect on women as would fitness testing and, Jayne explained, the proposals for EPAA singled out roles, including firearms, that had fewer women in them. New entry standards could have a disproportionate effect on some people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act including those from BME communities.The future did not look any brighter for policing when Alastair Hatchett, head of pay services, from the employment research leaders IDS, added his views to the session and pointed out that there had actually been pay rises in the private sector while also adding that there was little case for regional pay as there were already more similarities than differences. Similarly, Sue Hastings, an independent consultant on job evaluation who had worked

on the NHS Agenda for Change, said that while her head said it was fair and logical to introduce job evaluation for police roles, her heart groaned at the work involved. She said that Winsor ‘had chickened out’ of recommending job evaluation and put it back on the ‘too difficult, too costly shelf’. But, she explained, the individually assessed competence-related pay progression, establishing two skills threshold levels, ‘makes job evaluation look like a walk in the park’. The fairest systems, she concluded, involved decent levels of basic pay and as few as possible added pay elements.

Ian Rennie, general secretary of the Police Federation.

Dyfed Powys Police Federation www.dppf.org Page 13

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Page 15: Chwarae Teg SPECIAL JUNE 2012 “fair play” · traffic offences when defendants don’t turn up to court. She also pledged more money for treatment centres to help injured officers

Forces should have double the 12,000 Tasers in circulation around the country so that more front-line operational officers have access to them, says Paul Davis, public order lead on the Police Federation. In a session looking back on the August 2011 riots and including clips featuring officers involved in tackling the disorder, Paul said that it was Government policies that brought disquiet and that the police response should be funded by the Government. “The Home Secretary announced in the strategic policing requirement in 2011 that public order was and is of significant importance in our communities,” he explained. He said it was for academics and politicians with the help of ACPO and the HMIC to work out what went wrong last year. “It’s not our place to understand the reasons for what has taken place it is our job within the Federation to ensure you and our members get the best

More Tasers needed for front-line officersequipment, training and support in order that you all get home safely or whatever time you get home to your loved ones,” he explained.But he acknowledged the events moved at a pace not seen on mainland Britain for years, and said social networking had helped rioters. He came up with a simple solution. “This is a new challenge and we need to establish protocols to deal with such social networks. Controversial, I know, but switching them off might do the trick?” And he then turned to the often difficult situation the police find themselves in, criticised for not intervening quickly enough and then slammed for being ‘too tough’, for example at G8 and G20 with 50 officers investigated under caution after the latter. “When you put large numbers of officers on the street to protect the democratic society we are supposed to live in there will be casualties,” Paul told police leaders, “Stop making our members scapegoats for your poor leadership skills.

“Report after report keeps telling us how to do our job. When are politicians going to stay out of police business?” Paul then handed over to Jo Kaye, assistant inspector, who outlined the HMIC review of the riots which looked at establishing a national framework for resolving disorder. The review established:n Communications silence is not an

option, a vacuum of comment would be filled by speculation and rumour

n An intelligence hub should provide a source of information

n Mobilisation ‘tipping out’ with national co-ordination

n The need for tactics to be considered.

It also called for analysis of how people are trained for the reality of tackling riots and prioritised preparedness – who is trained to do what and kit availability 24/7.

Dyfed Powys Police Federation www.dppf.org Page 15

The Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered a review of CPS guidance on pursuit prosecutions after a campaign led by the Police Federation. Keir Starmer announced the review after a roads policing seminar at the conference focused on the prosecution of Hampshire officers James Holden and Nicky Houghton after a pursuit in Portsmouth in February 2011. But, while ACC Andy Holt, South Yorkshire, the ACPO lead in this area, has said there is currently a ‘sticking plaster’ in place to avoid similar prosecutions, he has admitted officers remain vulnerable to prosecution until the law changes. The seminar was introduced by Alan Jones, the Police Federation roads policing lead, who praised Hampshire Police Federation chairman John Apter for bringing the presentation together. John outlined the details of the case. At the time of the incident both PC Holden and Houghton were fully trained pursuit and response drivers. Their four-minute pursuit through Portsmouth at around 8.30pm on a Sunday evening was brought to an end when the

DPP agrees to review on CPS police pursuits guidance

suspected burglar crashed through a level crossing barrier and ran off. The Force’s pursuit review group considered the incident and referred it to PSD and in turn James and Nicky were served papers for gross misconduct with James as the driver eventually being charged with dangerous driving by the CPS and Nicky the lesser charge of aiding and abetting, which was dropped at the committal stage. Following an eight-day Crown Court trial, James was subsequently cleared in January this year. But, John explained, the case had caused a real dilemma for the Federation in terms of what advice they should give to officers due to the vulnerable position they could find themselves in if they were to engage in a pursuit. Mark Aldred, James’ barrister, explained that there was a gap between the political and practical messages on pursuits for emergency services which meant that it was difficult for officers to not to break the law on dangerous driving when following a suspect. The officer would be judged on whether their driving fell below the

standard of a competent and careful driver, not an advanced police trained driver, and a competent or careful driver would not be engaged in a pursuit which could lead to driving on the wrong side of the road or through traffic lights in the first place so they automatically fell short of that standard. There were no exemptions and many of the arguments that officers might use, or their defence lawyers might, were what he called ‘no defences’. The law provided no scope to balance the risk of prosecution against the risk to the public if no pursuit was allowed. Following the case, the Police Federation was pushing for a change in the law, backed by ACPO and the Superintendents’ Association. The Department of Transport has recognised and accepted the problem and steps will be taken to change the law so the emergency services have some degree of protection from prosecution. But in the mean time, the ‘sticking plaster’ means that pursuit tapes can be referred to the ACPO police pursuit steering group for independent advice for forces carrying out their own enquiries.

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General secretary Ian Rennie told delegates that he totally believed the Federation and the police service as a whole were at a crossroads. Speaking at the annual general meeting which was held on the Thursday afternoon of conference week, he said the changes taking place under the Government’s reform programme were having a major impact on policing. But he explained the Federation’s concerns were not just about pay and conditions about how the policing service is delivered and said the reform was just another word for privatisation. Winsor’s report, he said, brought new meaning to the word independence. As a glimmer of hope, the general secretary, who is also the Federation’s chief negotiator, said Winsor had invited MPs to a briefing on the reports. This, Ian added, was as a result of the pressure being put on MPs by Federation branches and their members. He urged members to continue visiting MPs and to encourage their colleagues to do the same. “We need your help to create an environment to allow me to negotiate on your behalf.” The general secretary said legal advice was being sought to ensure that the national poll of members over industrial rights was conducted properly. Details of the poll would be announced as soon as possible, he explained, adding that it would be a ‘monumental’ legal fight if members voted in favour of seeking industrial rights. The Government, Ian told the meeting, had already said that industrial rights were not on the table.

This year’s conference saw a touching presentation and standing ovation for the National Police Memorial Day (NPMD) founder, Joe Holness, and his wife, Sharon. Chairman Paul McKeever made the surprise “piece” presentation, the highest possible Police Federation honour, in recognition of the charity’s 10th anniversary and the couple’s continued work. NPMD was set up by Joe following the brutal killing of his colleague, Kent police officer Jon Odell. “Joe and Sharon are universally respected. They have single-handedly taken NPMD forward and made it the entity that it is today and I thank them very much for their time in commending our colleagues,” said Paul. “Now it’s our turn to commend them.” This followed Joe’s acknowledgement that the past year had been difficult for officers: “The challenges we have faced in the past 12 months have been immense - riots, the constant threat of terrorism, the policing of the Olympics as well as daily criminality. But police officers remain consistently courageous, loyal and steadfast. NPMD continues to evolve to ensure our fallen colleagues are never forgotten. We have a duty to succeed.” This year’s NPMD service will be on 30 September at York Minster.

NPMD stalwarts honoured

‘We’re at a crossroads’

Dyfed Powys Police Federation www.dppf.org Page 16

Mother of murder victim tells of campaign to change law on stalkingTricia Bernal, whose daughter was murdered by her stalker ex-boyfriend seven years ago, told officers she was proud of having secured stalking law reform in a moving presentation to the conference. The change in legislation came just a few weeks ago, on 1 May, following the highly successful campaign by NAPO, the probation and family court trade union, and the Protection Against Stalking charity which Tricia set up after her daughter, Clare, was shot in the head in the Harvey Nichols store in Knightsbridge in 2005.

Tricia told conference Clare (22) had only dated Michael Pech for three weeks but, after she ended the relationship, he “stalked, harassed and frightened her for weeks and made her life a misery”. Tricia spoke of her sense of helplessness at the time, particularly as the young officer dealing with Clare’s case had no experience of how dangerous stalking could be and, while there were guidelines on physical abuse, there were none on mental abuse. Through her tireless campaigning, she now knows there were, and are, recognised danger signs in stalking cases. These signs are well-known to professionals and are now part of new police procedure on stalking. “A change in attitude was needed because I felt the system was failing victims. I believe Clare’s death could have been prevented. We were led to believe she

was in safe hands. It would have been far better to have said at the time ‘we don’t have the time, resources or training to protect you’. It is essential that we have adequate training for police officers,” Tricia said. The Protection Against Stalking campaign called for fundamental changes in police training, the establishment of a victim’s advocacy scheme and for the treatment of offenders. It has seen improvements to the safety of victims, including those affected by cyber stalking, and the launch of a national helpline. Harry Fletcher, Assistant Secretary, NAPO, said: “We do have a new law on stalking which includes reviews on training for the police, magistrates and judges. “This was probably the most successful and moving campaign that I have ever experienced.”

Tricia Bernal.

Page 17: Chwarae Teg SPECIAL JUNE 2012 “fair play” · traffic offences when defendants don’t turn up to court. She also pledged more money for treatment centres to help injured officers

Rhys honoured for brave river rescue

Among the officers honoured in the bravery awards film was PC Rhys Evans who risked his own life and dived into a fast-flowing, freezing cold swollen river in Pembrokeshire to save a drowning teenager. Rhys Evans, who was based at Haverfordwest Police Station at the time of the incident, responded to an emergency call in the early hours of a Sunday morning in January when it was reported a woman had fallen into the River Cleddau near County Hall, in Haverfordwest. He and colleagues found the 19-year-old woman had fallen down a weir and had disappeared under the surface of the water. She resurfaced and was dragged by strong currents approximately 350 metres down river on her back. Rhys realising that if she continued she

would most likely drown, jumped in and swam about 30 feet across the river to rescue her. He swam with her a further 15ft to the opposite bank where with colleagues PC Mark East, PC Steve Davies, PC Amy Talboys, PC Chris Sanders, PC David Stubbins, PS Ian James and Special Constables Chris Evans and Jamie Hughes, and a street pastor, they lifted her out of the water up a steep bank. Rhys showered after the incident to get warm and put on prisoner replacement clothing only to then run after and arresting a man who had escaped from lawful custody. Chief Superintendant Dean Richards, said afterwards: “This incident highlights the dangers that officers face in the course of carrying out their duty and the selfless and brave actions they take to protect the public and save life.”

Dyfed Powys Police Federation www.dppf.org Page 17

The final update of the current position in relation to planning the policing operation for the London Olympics was delivered by John Coppen, chair of PFEW Olympic working group, and the Met’s Chris Allison, assistant commissioner central operations, Olympics and Paralympics. With72daystogotothestartofthebiggestpolicingeventinpeacetimehistoryandtwodaysbeforetheOlympictorchwasduetoarriveinCornwall,ChrisAllisongaveacomprehensivesummaryfromaFederationperspectivecoveringdetailsofFederationcoverforofficersonmutualaidfortheOlympics. Healsoadvisedthattherewouldbe40,000journalistsattheGamesandthe

Olympic inspirationworld’smediawouldbelookingforabadnewsstory.AvideohasbeenprovidedgivingadvicetoofficersregardingtheirconductduringtheGames. SpecialguestswereJohnGreenwho,priortothe1948Olympics,wasthesecondyoungesttorchbearerandSirSteveRedgrave,whoreceivedastandingovationfromconferenceandgaveafascinatinginsightintothelifeofanOlympian. Hestayedafterconferenceforofficerstohavetheirphototakenwithhimandthetorch. SirSteverecognisedPaulMcKeeverasafellowathlete,pointingoutthatbetweenthemtheyhadfiveOlympicgoldmedals. Leicestershire’sPSMarkDavisonwas

amongtheofficerswhoaskedSirSteveaquestionafterthisspeech. Marktoldhimhowhehadwonthe100metredashin1967andaskedifhehadleftitabittoolatetotrytoqualifyfortheOlympics. SirStevereplied:“IamsureyouwouldgiveUsainBoltarunforhismoney.”

Sir Steve Redgrave.

Federation app launchedMembers can now keep fully up to date with Federation news with the launch of a new app. And,officersregisteredanddownloadingtheappfromthepolfed.orgwebsitebefore31August2012willhavetheaddedbonusofbeingenteredintoacompetitionwithaniPadasaprize. TheFederationsaystheappispartofacommitmenttoputtingmembersattheheartofwhatitdoes.

Constables now have their own website with public areas providing information for the general public and members’ access only pages for advice, support, polls and a discussion forum. Thewebsite,policeconstables.org,waslaunchedattheConstables’CentralCommittee(CCC)meetingontheTuesdaymorningofconference. Itaimstounify,strengthenandsupportconstableswhilealsopromotingcampaignssuchasCAMRC–theCampaignforRealConstables. Constablesarebeingurgedtoregisterwiththesiteby15JunetobeenteredintoacompetitionwithaniPadasaprize.

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Inspector Owain Richards“In my opinion, the highlights of conference were the motivational speeches by John Peters, the fighter pilot, in the inspectors’ meeting, and Sir Steve Redgrave’s input at the main conference. There were good debates on change and the future of policing. I didn’t feel that the stalking session, as important as it was, was relevant to the conference agenda.” PC Diane Downward“The chairman’s keynote speech was excellent, very impactive and from the heart. The Home Secretary’s speech was the same old story, although she kept her composure with some difficult questions. In my opinion, there were two highlights of conference - the chairman asking for anyone who believes Winsor to be independent to put their hand up - and the Home Secretary didn’t put her hand up, and Sir Steve Redgrave, another good speaker!” PS Paul Laughlin“Once again Paul McKeever produced a thoughtful and relevant speech, clearly he is a very good speaker. It left the Home Secretary in no doubt as to what is expected of her. It was pitched at the right level and was looking to give Ms May genuine advice that would benefit the Government, the public and the service. The Home Secretary followed the party line. She does not show any sign of re-thinking – she is not looking out for the service and has no intention of doing so. Sadly, she reinforced her idealistic views and clearly has no respect for the police service.” Inspector Rob Marshall“The Home Secretary spoke very well and tried her best to diffuse many of our grievances. However, she showed no apparent compassion or understanding. There was no hint of an olive branch or conciliation. In my opinion, the highlight of conference was the inspectors’ committee meeting with an inspirational talk from Sqn Leader John Peters, a former Iraqi prisoner of war. It puts things into perspective and gives a great connection between what happened to him and the real world. He should have had more time as he was cut short by the chair.”

DC Paul Havard“The Home Secretary’s speech was the same rubbish as last year! She would have had a better response if she’d just said blah, blah, blah.”

PS David Gaskin“If I’m being honest I didn’t think there were any highlights. I felt that conference was quite flat. It was always going to be with the Government’s agenda to steamroll reform.” Inspector Rob Marshall“Questions to the Home Secretary should be co-ordinated and planned centrally so that they are properly researched and put in a sensible order. Also there should be a policy of showing respect – I do not agree with appearing to give the public at large the view that we are rude to the Home Secretary does us any favours. It will not gain us any support and gives ammo to our detractors. It will also wind-up our political enemies and they will be even less likely to be conciliatory in negotiations.”

Carole Evans“The chairman’s speech was human, direct, assertive nor aggressive, yet human and meaningful. It is heartwarming to know that the chairman is live to all the current ‘key’ issues with an adept ability to respond positively on our behalf. The Home Secretary’s speech was direct, to the point of patronising to the audience. Clear and unmovable in her views, appearing at time to be of stronger will than Margaret Thatcher. Uncompromising. It appeared to be a party political broadcast.”

Delegates’ feedback

Dyfed Powys Police Federation www.dppf.org Page 19

DPPF delegates at conference.

Steve Lee“The chairman’s keynote speech was excellent. I thought the Home Secretary spoke well, despite all that was going on in the arena. In my opinion, the inspectors’ meeting was excellent and the chairman’s address.”

Page 20: Chwarae Teg SPECIAL JUNE 2012 “fair play” · traffic offences when defendants don’t turn up to court. She also pledged more money for treatment centres to help injured officers

Banned from striking, frustrated by Winsor and feeling betrayed by Government attacks on pensions, pay and conditions, more than 35,000 off-duty police officersgave up a rest day to march through the streets of London on 10 May to show their strength of feeling against 20 per cent cuts to police budgets. Among the marchers were 110 officers from Dyfed Powys Police Federation who set off at around 5am in three coaches and a minibus and returned home by around 10.30pm. One strong message emerged: cut our numbers and communities will suffer. “When you cut policing by up to 20 per cent the only thing you get more of is, not more policing, you get more disorder, you get more crime and you get more anti-social behaviour and that’s why we are here today to say to the public we don’t want to see that,” said Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation, adding that forces were not being told which parts of the job they should not be doing now they had fewer resources.

35,000 officers join march

Produced by XPR (UK) Ltd www.xpruk.com Conference photography by Anderson Photography www.andersonphotography.co.uk

Profound changes being made to the service, including privatisation, were going unnoticed by the public, he said, but were putting the finest police service in the world at risk. On the eve of the march, the chairman issued a statement saying: “The march is the only way that police officers can demonstrate their anger. We have been inundated with messages of support from our colleagues who cannot attend due to their work commitments. The officers marching are doing so in their own time, that’s how strongly they feel. “The reality of the cuts to policing is really beginning to bite; numbers are beginning to fall rapidly. In the past year alone, we have lost over 5,200 police officers from the front-line and we are witnessing the privatisation of core policing roles as chief officers struggle to cope with budget restraints. The Government needs to be realistic about the outcome of severe cuts to policing; we cannot afford to compromise on public safety.” To get the point across, 16,000 of the officers taking part in the march wore black, baseball style caps to represent the 16,000 officers that will be lost over four years.

London march photos taken by PC

Jason Ow

en from Brecon.

Gathering at Millbank from around 9.30am, the officers – some of whom were accompanied by their partners and children - carried placards showing various messages: “Police officers say enough is enough”, “Police for public not for profit”, “Police sale to the lowest bidder”, “Cutting police by 20 per cent is criminal”, and“Utterly betrayed”. While the placards, caps and slogan-carrying t-shirts made the march much like any other protest, the marchers were peaceful, orderly and caused the on-duty Met officers no cause for concern – to such an extent that two groups of around 20 of those lined up near the Cenotaph clapped many of their colleagues past in a show of support. Setting off at around 12.15pm, a little later than planned, after a rousing speech from the national chairman, officers walked past the Home Office, the Houses of Parliament and back to Waterloo Place – with the last group completing the route by around 2.30pm. Paul Herdman, secretary, and Phil Addicott, chair, would like to thank officers for giving up their own time to attend the march.