Plodding On June 15

Chairman’s Introduction Chairman’s introduction

2

National chair’s speech

3

Home Secretary addresses conference

4–5

Chair’s welcome

7

Mental health crisis

9

The political challenge

11

Concern over drink-driving

12

A diverse workforce

13

Terrorism threat

14

Body-worn video

15

100 years of women in policing 16 Spotlight on officer assaults

18

Federation reform

19

Yoga: benefits for all

20 – 21

Why play golf?

22

Massey’s murmurings

23

Another national Police Federation conference has now passed and I’m left feeling a little flat.

In Derbyshire JBB we have taken the bull by the horns and listened to the Normington recommendations to cut numbers. We have cut from a max of 30 representatives to 13 yet the national Federation remains at its maximum number and continues to replace national officers as they leave thus retaining the status quo.

This hardly seems right and definitely does not show leadership from the front. I would like to think we are all in it together but it does not seems so!

Another national Police Federation conference has now passed and I’m left feeling a little flat.

The conference itself seemed subdued – perhaps inevitably in the wake of all the tension surrounding the independent review of the Police Federation at last year’s annual gathering. Some of the sessions seemed to go on too long and session after session seemed to follow the same format which somehow made it all a bit hard-going.

Plodding On is published by

Derbyshire Police Federation 1 Windmill Rise South Normanton Derbyshire DE55 2AZ

A few of the presentations were a little lacklustre – the input from the national counter-terrorism lead, Mark Rowley, for example – while others struggled to hold everyone’s attention, notably the international policing session.

Produced by XPR (UK) Ltd www.xpruk.com

But there were a couple of highlights.

The session on officer assaults was one of those. Stressing the importance of accurate recording of these incidents and the need for better support for officers who are attacked in the course of carrying out their duties, it had one very clear message – no-one should see police officer assaults as simply part of the job.

Designed and printed by www.Creativefive.co.uk

Another interesting session looked at the

Telephone: 0300 122 8533 Email: enquiries@derbyshirefederation.org.uk

www.derbyshirefederation.org.uk

2

Mark Pickard, chairman, Derbyshire Police Federation

use of body worn video with one senior officer saying that if forces had to work with reduced numbers then those officers should at the very least be properly equipped.

In the wake of the independent review, which called for a slimmed down conference, Derbyshire took only a handful of delegates to this year’s conference though it appeared to be one of few branches to do so.

During an update on the progress the national Federation is making in implementing the 36 review recommendations, as adopted at last year’s conference, it was reported that these are 40 per cent complete with significant progress on some others.

Apparently, the review programme is still on track and by this time next year we will be 80 per cent there.

I hope that is the case but I still feel there is a significant gap not just between the changes being made at the centre and those being made at some branches but also between counties and regions. If we are to truly reform, we need to all move forward together in the interests of the members we serve.

Here in Derbyshire, we are doing all we can to transform the way we work. Planning for the future, Adam Galley has now been voted in as secretary-elect and will take over the post in October this year when Ian Godfrey retires.

We are also developing the Derbyshire Benevolent Trust (DBT) so that it can offer a range of member services products with an emphasis on welfare and well-being.

Please take the time to visit one of the DBT launch events which are being held over the next few weeks. Full details are given in the enclosed leaflet.

Steve White, national chairman, addresses the Home Secretary.

Forces are being forced to choose between neighbourhood policing and 999 responses now they are cut to the bone.

Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, expressed concerns about the decline in neighbourhood policing saying it was becoming an endangered species.

“Neighbourhood policing, the foundation of local confidence, trust and reassurance in communities that the police are there; that the police will be there when needed, policing with their consent,” he said in his keynote address to conference.

“Neighbourhood policing - the source of so much information that stops the public from becoming victims of crime; that keeps people safe, that prevents terrorist attacks on our country.

“And neighbourhood policing is just one of the endangered species in the new streamlined barren policing landscape.

“A generation of young people is growing up never seeing their local police unless they are unfortunate enough to experience a serious crime. Is that the type of police service the public deserve?

“Policing is about building relationships.

Not statistics. Not computer says no. Not chancellor says no.”

And he hit back at Government claims that the cuts were having no detrimental effect, saying: “Home Secretary: cuts really do have consequences. And we see them every day.

“We see the shocked, traumatised faces of the victims of crime. We see the tears of people who feel rushed, passed over, dismissed, as fewer officers try to deal with the number of emergency calls.

“Police officers forced to run from job to job, at the expense of being able to provide the highest quality service to those asking for help.

“We share the heartache of the public who tell us we are a service, not a business. A service that they expect to be there when they need it; a service that doesn’t say no.

But the cuts are now making that impossible.”

He said chief constables and police and crime commissioners across the country fear the consequences of further budget

Neighbourhood policing: an endangered species’ cuts and warned civilianising police officer roles ‘sure as hell’ wasn’t a solution.

“Police officers understand their role is to serve the public. They are not private security guards or box-ticking functionaries because they do more than going through the motions. They are committed professionals trained to go the extra mile,” he said.

“Let’s look at the real costs of cuts. The human cost to my colleagues. Colleagues who have to deal with the stress of leaving one job half done to get to the next emergency call; the cost to their own health and welfare. The low morale officers feel; undervalued, unappreciated

by Government.

“When you look at the national budget, the amount we spend on policing in comparison to other areas, such as overseas aid, is peanuts. So what else do you expect us to cut? We have responded magnificently over the past five years, but it has come at a cost.”

He hit out saying the cuts now felt personal, with officers being expected to do much more with much less and the pensions goalpost having moved significantly.

And he called for an independent review of policing that takes account of what the public wants.

He went on to suggest the option of a one-force model is explored further saying: “We currently have over 43 police forces operating in England and Wales. Who does that really benefit? To the public, the police are the police are the police. They don’t distinguish between cap badges.

“To them the structure is irrelevant. What matters is when they need help, they get it. What matters is feet on the beat; cops investigating crime. Shouldn’t we at least be having a conversation about structure?

A look at how many forces we need?” the chairman asked.

He called on the Home Secretary to ensure the resources, such as Taser, will be there as extra protection for officers.

And he said the Federation was standing by ‘ready to be part of the conversation’.

He said: “We are not asking you to put your life on the line as so many police officers do every day. But we do ask that you act for the long term.”

Home Secretary, after five long years in office, you know the Police Federation has never been an obstacle to change.

“We have shown you we are changing ourselves. We have actively sought change.

But change that is considered; change that is long term. And change that is for the good of policing and the public.”

Our reps’ feedback...

Steve White’s speech was excellent and measured but then spoilt with an ill-advised joke. The speech followed this pattern. I would suggest poking a rabid dog with a sharp stick is not the best way to ensure it doesn’t bite you.

He trotted out the standard, how can we cope, cuts have consequences and pointed out PCCs also have the same challenges. He said we should be concentrating on relationships not statistics.

He made the point about pensions but laboured a point that we have been told we can do nothing about.

The chairman once again called for a Royal Commission. No response was made.

He also asked for extra funding for Taser so chiefs would not have to make further cuts to fund this.

Adam Galley I felt that some of the jibes at the Home Secretary and the Government, although well meant, struck close to the bone and will not be forgotten over the next five years of this Government.

His analogy, “if you are not letting in goals you don’t get rid of the goalkeeper” was well thought out in relation to the Government’s view that crime is going down so we don’t need officers in the numbers we have.

Overall, I felt the chair’s speech contained the right content and was very feisty. In fact, I would say, taking into account the current situation, this was the best chair’s speech I have ever heard at any conference I have attended.

Mark Pickard 3

‘Scaremongering’ Federation told to stop crying wolf Home Secretary Theresa May has warned the Police Federation to stop ‘crying wolf’ over the cuts and warned more savings will have to be made over the next five years.

Speaking at the annual national conference in Bournemouth, she said the Federation had spent years ‘scaremongering’, with promises of rising crime rates which had failed to materialise, and claimed reform had been ‘unambiguously good’ for policing.

She announced that ‘police reform is working’, with the cutting of bureaucracy and central targets saving up to 4.5 million police hours – the equivalent of 2,100 fulltime officers.

And she said more cuts were to come: “If we want policing in this country to be the best it can be, then we must reform further.”

The Home Secretary told delegates: “There is no ducking the fact that police spending will have to come down again. The last five years have shown that it is possible to do more with less – crime has fallen, the front-line service has been maintained and public confidence in the police is up, even as spending has reduced.”

She continued: “I know there are those who say there is no more waste to cut. But I simply do not accept that. It is perfectly possible to make savings without affecting the quality of neighbourhood policing.

“Because I know – as you do – that there is still wasteful spending in policing and that resources are still not linked to demand.”

She suggested savings are found in more collaboration, a reduction in staff officers and improved ICT and said the next five years of reform would mean working to understand and reduce demand on policing.

There would be more focus on greater reporting of previously ignored or underreported crimes, such as child abuse and less ‘social worker’ activities.

“As I have said, the police are not social workers, they are not mental health nurses, or paramedics. I stand by the sentiment,” 4

she explained.

“It is not good enough for police custody to be used as an overspill facility for A & E - or for secure children’s homes to use the police to control the children in their care.

“And I will do everything I can to work with other departments to reduce other unnecessary demand on policing.”

Technology will change too. Notebooks and pens could be a thing of the past for officers, with handheld tablets loaded with apps, currently being used by Cambridgeshire, possibly the way of the future along with body-worn video.

The Home Secretary envisages police cars becoming mobile police stations, removing the need for officers to go back to the station to type up paperwork.

And she promised she will listen to the Federation, saying: “If, in everything I am talking about, the Federation comes to me with serious proposals to help change policing for the better, then I will listen.

“Because if we do this right, if you come with me and if you work with me, then we will be able to deliver the reform necessary and improve the working lives of police officers while cutting crime for the public.”

She continued: “The choice is yours. As Home Secretary, I can – as I have for the last five years – reform the police without the support of the Federation. But the opportunity to work constructively with Government should make the world of difference to you. So join me and work with me to change policing. The reward will be a better police – for officers and staff and the public you serve – and a country that will be safer and fairer than ever before.”

She promised up to £15 million is to be made available to deliver health-based places of safety in England so no-one has to be detained by police and held in custody due to a lack of suitable alternative.

And she announced a major independent review of the use of local crime and performance targets in every police force in England and Wales, to be led

by Irene Curtis – president of the police

Theresa May takes part in a Q and A session involving delegates.

Superintendents’ Association.

She concluded: “What I have set out today will help transform policing for the better.

If you want British policing to be the best it can be, join with me to make that happen.”

Our reps’ feedback...

Mrs May’s speech was a consistent message, no change from last year.

She advised us that if we helped her in change that would be nice, however, she has changed us over the past five years without our help and is prepared to carry on along this vein.

Her tone was conciliatory but quietly threatening. I would suggest we have five tough years ahead with no prospect of improvements at this time.

Adam Galley

The national Federation needs to actually ensure it takes up Mrs May’s offer to engage with her in further reform as it is obvious that think tanks have her ear and we will be looking at further dramatic reductions in officers over the coming years.

If we do not try to shape the future of policing then I fear we are on the precipice of the British bobby being an endangered species and private security companies gaining more and more in-roads into policing.

John Whitworth

We listened

The Home Secretary maintained the Government has listened to the Federation on several key issues: • Honouring the three-year pay deal • Ensuring life means life for police killers • Abolishing central targets • Giving officers more discretion and freedom to do the job they joined to do • Increasing police-led prosecutions and charging decisions • Taking steps to correct the injustice of a discrepancy in the way spouses of officers killed in the line of duty are treated.

Achievements

The Home Secretary listed a range of Government achievements: • A proper professional body in the College of Policing • The abolition of key performance indicators, stripping away reams of unnecessary paperwork • Crime maps and beat meetings • The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners, improving transparency and accountability • A National Crime Agency with a proper mandate l Direct Entry and Police Now to bring in fresh talent, skills and expertise • Increasing the proportion of officers on the front-line to 91 per cent.

What’s to come?

A new Police Bill to allow the Government to go ‘further and faster’ with reform to free up police time and put policing back in the hands of the professionals. It would outline: • Extended use of police-led prosecutions to cut time waiting for the CPS • Changes to pre-charge bail • An overhaul of the police complaints and discipline system • A reduction in time spent dealing with people suffering from mental health issues with plans to cut the use of police cell for Section 135 and 136 detentions.

In addition: • Greater powers for police to retain a greater share of assets seized from erious organised criminals • Moves to allow fire and rescue services to engage in much closer joint working with the police.

Soundbites

“I want to begin by thanking everyone in this hall – and every officer the Police Federation represents – for the dedication and spirit of public service you show in your jobs every day.” “... if we had not reformed police pay and pensions, chief constables would have had little choice but to cut more police officers and staff.” “... the right place for a person suffering a mental health crisis is a bed, not a police cell. And the right people to look after them are medically trained professionals, not police officers.” “...targets distort operational reality. They remove independent discretion from police officers. And undue focus on one target can lead to crimes that are not measured being neglected altogether.”

Linzi Perriman, Associate Solicitor

Watching out for YOU… …whilst YOU watch out for others With 20+ years’ experience working with the police, Gorvins Solicitors, have been a leading provider of legal services to the Police Federation and all its members. Whilst you protect your community our aim is to protect you on any legal issues you may be experiencing.

Contact your dedicated force representative Linzi Perriman today on

0845 6347 999 e-mail police-divorce@gorvins.com or visit us at www.gorvins.com/ police-divorce/derbyshirepolice-federation

Cost effective: Fixed fees and discounted rates for officers, police personnel and families Expert team: Specialists in police pension treatment on divorce and dissolution Prompt service: First appointment free and no matter is too small

Other Family Services • Wills, trusts and probate • Employment law • Residential conveyancing • Personal injury claims (on or off duty) • Dispute resolution matters

5

Stay in shape financially...

George Burrows puts a high priority on the welfare of you and your family.

Caroline Harris has over 25 years’ hands-on experience working alongside the Police Force and can provide a practical and unbiased view of what workplace benefits are available to you in order to help you make that crucial decision. Caroline can provide detailed and up-to-date information on all aspects of the various pension and protection schemes arranged for the Derbyshire Benevolent Trust.

Free confidential and personal one to one help is available from Caroline to support you on any issues that may arise throughout your police career and into retirement.

See what other people have to say:

“ “ “

Not only did she help me to understand how the new pension will affect me but she also helped me save money!

Wayne Bennett, serving police officer

”

Visiting Caroline was well worth the time.

She helped put my mind at rest with informed information rather than guess work.

Ian Skidmore, serving police officer

”

Caroline came into my life with an air of calm and organisation.

Helen Walker, police widow

”

If you struggle to understand what workplace benefits are available to you to protect you and your dependents:

Simply Call

0300 122 8533

For more information or to book an appointment.

It could be one of the most rewarding calls you make all year!

Derbyshire Benevolent Trust is an Appointed Representative of Heath Lambert Limited and George Burrows is a trading name of Heath Lambert Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AW. Registered in England and Wales. Company number: 1199129. Part of the Arthur J Gallagher Group.

6

FP45/2014

Enough is enough chair wastes no time in getting his message across

Steve White makes his opening address to conference.

The Police Federation would send out a clear and simple message to the Government: ‘enough is enough’, the national chairman told delegates in his opening address to conference.

And, he added, it would also be making the public aware that cuts have consequences for the police service but also for communities too. Forces were trying to provide a modern day policing service, with 20th century numbers and funding from the 19th century.

“Cuts have consequences and, quite simply, we can do no more. This week we will be discussing what the consequences have been to the service but, more importantly, we will be looking ahead to the dire potential outcomes if things do not change. The dire outcome for officers and, most importantly, for the public,” he said.

“We will also be hearing about the challenges we have in taking our concerns to the public and the Government before it’s too late: because, if the Government is not careful, it will be too late and the public and those in power won’t realise what they have got in the police service until it’s gone.”

Politicians, he explained, seemed to think the police were the last great unreformed service but, he argued, the service had undergone considerable change in the last 12 years. His message was: we can change, we are still changing, we do change. He reminded conference that it was the Federation and not the Government that had instigated the independent review of the organisation.

The Federation, he said, would always stand up for its members, officers who were at breaking point. He urged the Government to stand up for police officers rather than stand up to the Federation.

The chairman’s opening address included a film showing footage and interviews at last year’s Police Bravery Awards in London in October.

Profile – Steve White

Steve White was elected as the chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales at the end of conference week 2014.

The former vice chairman took over from Steve Williams who had himself only become chairman in December 2012 as Paul McKeever prepared for retirement.

His operational service with Avon and Somerset Police included six years as an authorised firearms officer on ARVs, roads policing, working in a response team and also as the staff officer to the ACC Commander of one of the largest BCUs in the country.

For his role as inspector while serving in Bristol, Steve received three commendations for courage and leadership.

7

8

Mental health custody scandal– more needs to be done The successes and shortfalls of street triage, of liaison and diversion techniques and the urgent need for many more health-based places of safety, particularly for the young, came under the spotlight as conference opened with a debate entitled The Mental Health Challenge.

Throughout the session, there was widespread agreement that police cells are not the right place for those with mental health issues who have not committed offences but that on too many occasions they are the only places available for someone in danger of harming themselves or others because of a lack of mental health funding and alternative accommodation.

However, the loudest round of applause of the session came when panel member Inspector Michael Brown, the mental health co-ordinator of the College of Policing, questioned why police are so often called to situations which could perhaps have been resolved earlier in the day had appropriate health based services been available.

He acknowledged the many benefits of both street triage and liaison and diversion, but said he had shadowed street triage schemes where he had been left wondering why police have been called out when there was often no core policing component like a crime in progress or threat to life or a suicide attempt.

Instead, there was a vulnerable person in need of mental health assessment and street triage was seen as the only way to get a response to that person, he explained, adding that police were effectively being used as a means to access unscheduled care for people with mental health needs.

He asked: “Why are police being considered as the gateway for that (unscheduled care) service in the first place?”

Marylyn Haines Evans of the National Federation of Women’s Institute

had earlier talked about its Care not Custody campaign, to end the inappropriate detention of the mentally ill within the Criminal Justice System by working to improve health-based facilities.

Partnership working, she argued, is essential. Together with the Prison Reform Trust, there is a now a unique Care not Custody coalition, which includes the Police Federation of England and Wales and the NHS. There is, she said, some way to go for reform and called for a sustained, collaborative effort.

Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police and Crime and Commissioner (PCC), reported that PCCs are working with chief constables to make the detention of under 18s with mental health issues in custody suites a ‘never, never’ event.

Street triage, he says, works, but questioned why it is not being carried out in collaboration with the ambulance and fire service who are also dealing with people in crisis.

Julie Denley, head of Disability Learning Services and Partnerships, agreed with Kate Underhill, mental health co-ordinator, Strategic Partnerships, that street triage should not be seen as an end solution, but with improved responses to mental health challenges the goal should be to eradicate the need for it at all.

Having posed his ‘gateway’ question, Insp Brown went on to warn officers against ‘simplification’ in meeting the challenges. He warned that there are legal pitfalls and that, for people with complex needs and mental health issues who do commit offences, the responses must be appropriate.

He said there was a need for evidence based solutions and called for more analysis around the outcomes of both street triage and liaison and diversion.

He wanted more evaluation to see if it can be demonstrated that they both result in improved mental health and support for the individual and reoffending or offending is reduced. He

Insp Michael Brown – ‘Mental Health Cop’.

also questioned whether mental health services have the capacity to deal with an increase in numbers being diverted to them.

The session was followed by a lively question and answer session.

The debate was held the day before Home Secretary Theresa May announced to conference that there would be £15 million of new funding to provide extra health-based beds and facilities to ensure no-one is held inappropriately in police cells.

Our rep’s feedback...

The theme seemed to be that the Home Secretary raised this issue three years ago - although all officers were aware of the problem then - but the Government seems to have now taken a back seat.

We are still covering the gaps left by others. It is sad that Insp Brown has examples of people now ringing the police as they have been informed that we have access to mental health gateways that we did not have prior to street triage.

PC Nick Bremmer, who was involved in a street triage trial in Derbyshire, says he is confident a form of this will work and the trial in Force was a success.

The worry is this change to how police deal with mental health incidents will grind to a halt as money runs out and it is not the flavour of the day for those in power.

However, the question remains as to whether a person is getting the correct referral and are they being diverted to the right help in the days, weeks or months following to prevent further calls for police or the triage service later?

Mark Pickard

9

10

Lively debate over political challenge The panel

Steve White, chairman, Police Federation of England and Wales Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex Glyn Gaskarth, head of crime and justice unit, Policy Exchange Kevin Hurley, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Charlotte Pickles, senior research director, Reform Jack Dromey, shadow minister for policing Claims from two leading think tanks that the police service could sustain more cuts and deliver more with less were disputed by delegates during an, at times, tense debate on the first day of conference.

The session, The Political Challenge, putting the public first – investing in policing, saw representatives of both the Policy Exchange and Reform having their views challenged by officers who found considerable support from Surrey PCC Kevin Hurley, who said the service was at tipping point, some sympathy from his Sussex counterpart, Katy Bourne, but more from shadow policing minister Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Erdington.

Glyn Gaskarth of the Policy Exchange summarised eight key points including problems with forces’ buildings which, while valuable, were often poorly designed and not fit for purpose, the need for forces to share some support functions to reduce the administrative burden and a drive towards a focus on crime prevention.

Money could be saved by more collaboration with other emergency services and also by reducing demand. His concluding comment that police could do more with less brought laughter from the conference floor.

Charlotte Pickles from Reform may be lulled delegates into a false sense of security by starting out with praise for the police for the ‘tremendous job’ of delivering improvements in the last five years.

Charlotte Pickles answers delegates’ questions.

But, she then said, a drop in crime proved police claims that crime levels were linked to officer numbers were not true and asserted there was further scope for cuts, pointing out that HMIC said there was potential for substantial savings.

The focus needed to be on productivity and capability, the workforce skills mix and increased use of new technology including pre-populated forms and face recognition software, increased collaboration and an overhaul of the criminal justice system to reduce time wasted in the court process.

“I do not think budget cuts going forward is in itself the wrong answer,” she concluded.

But Mr Hurley disagreed. The cuts, he said, had taken the service to tipping point and it would take a long time for it to recover. A lack of investment in training was problematic as was the fact that police officers had never before felt so undervalued with a continual onslaught from Government ‘every other day of the week’.

He expressed concern at the drop in officer numbers saying the 17,000 lost over the last five years corresponded with the number who ‘stopped London burning’ in 2011.

“Without you, there’s no-one protecting us from the baddies,” he said.

Mr Dromey made three key points – Labour would stand up for the police service, defending neighbourhood policing; it would halt the reform agenda and create a victim centred criminal justice service.

It was ‘absolutely wrong’, he said, that MPs attended the Police Bravery Awards and then gave the police ‘a good kicking’ in the House of Commons.

He called for a very different approach, explaining that it had never before been so important for the service to have a strong and effective Police Federation.

The finger-wagging from ministers needed to stop. “It is time for the Government to strike a very different tone and that’s certainly what we intend to argue,” he said.

During the question and answer session, many delegates took the think tank experts to task for their views, saying they did not really get what the police do, that officer safety was at risk, more could not be done with less and that while the service had embraced new technology it could not always replace the officer on the beat

Our rep’s feedback...

Having listened to all the speakers, especially the think tank representatives, it did leave the question hanging in the air of who actually was driving police reform as it appeared that the police were not being considered in the reform journey.

The Government has a mandate and, regardless of what we say, will plough on headlong with its manifesto commitments. It is only when the public start to ask where all the police have gone that politicians will act but it may take a generation to replace officers to a level where we were five years ago. The spectre of privatisation will also be there as G4S et al will be vying for position to fill any gaps Politicians will not act unless crime starts to increase dramatically and it highlights the lack of police officers on the ground. The Government and its interested parties say that crime is falling so we do not need so many officers.

We know cyber-crime, CSE and violent crime are rising, but it doesn’t affect the majority of people in the way that burglary, car crime and ASB does.

For example, if your house is broken into this has a far more dramatic effect that if your bank account gets raided over the internet because most banks will reimburse you almost straightaway. The memory of your house being burgled and the time spent recovering after the event will have a more profound effect on you as it’s personal whereas if it’s done over the internet the psychological effect is not the same as it’s a faceless crime.

I would definitely wish to see a similar session next year with the policing minister on the panel and one less PCC. John Whitworth

11

Panel calls for drink-drive limit to be cut An increase in the number of women caught drink-driving has prompted a call for the limit to be lowered.

During a conference session called Women & alcohol – the drink-drive challenge, it was suggested that the limit is lowered from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg. This would bring England and Wales in line with Scotland which reduced its limit in December last year.

Vicki Martin from the Police Federation of England and Wales explained that, while the number of men caught drink-driving had halved, women were not changing their behaviour. In addition to a reduction in the drink-drive limit, she would also like to see a set minimum unit price for alcohol and called for roads safety to be put back on the agenda.

But, she pointed out, that it was time to tackle the problem and look at the reasons why more women were drinking while under the influence of alcohol rather than just dealing with the symptoms.

Kristine Beuret, director of Social Research Associates, explained that drink-driving among women was going up while it was generally falling and said women’s metabolic differences meant they could

be more affected by alcohol than men and yet considered themselves less likely to be stopped than male drivers. In 1998, nine per cent of those caught drink-driving were women compared with 17 per cent in 2012.

Her views were echoed by Superintendent Jane Derrick, Surrey and Sussex Police RPU Operations Command, who said it was time for a debate around how to tackle the growing problem of women getting behind the wheel when over the limit suggesting that perhaps women were self-medicating with alcohol due to mental health pressures. She argued that it was time to start stopping women drivers on the school run and for officers to change their perceptions of drink-drivers.

Vicki Martin of the Police Federation puts forward her views on drink-driving.

alcohol consumed was now drunk at home, with fellow panellist Inspector Colin Dobson from Durham Constabulary saying that many people were drinking alcohol bought at supermarkets before going out to pubs and clubs making them more likely to engage in risky behaviours.

Deborah Hay, senior licensing and regulatory solicitor for pub chain JD Wetherspoons, said, despite this, her company was doing its bit to educate people about the strength of its drinks, unit values now being displayed on menus, and also gave financial support to the charity Drink Aware.

She said: “We’ve seen a huge increase, but it is the tip of the iceberg. We are stopping people based on our perceptions. If I see a woman driving a car I may view her differently to a male driver because of my professional knowledge, but also my own perceptions.”

And Supt Derrick added: “We can do enforcement but there needs to be some kind of education programme.”

She pointed out that 63 per cent of the

Our rep’s feedback...

As an overall view, I didn’t find this session was relevant for the Federation. This was a general policing issue, nothing more.

There is a perceptual difficulty among police officers who do not see females as offenders who drinkdrive.

Of the speakers, I found Deborah Hay, the solicitor from Wetherspoons, the most interesting; she gave a real world view.

I would suggest the only way forward is better education and more social awareness of the problem of the amount of alcohol that could potentially affect a female being much less than advertised for men ie two large glasses of wine.

Adam Galley

12

Forces need to look at diversity Long-term strategies are needed to ensure that police forces become more representative of the communities they serve, Inspector Kam Bria of the College of Policing told conference during a session on diversity.

Insp Bria, a Derbyshire officer, argued that all forces needed to take responsibility for increasing the number of women and people from BME backgrounds in the service and said it needed to involve everyone not just HR staff.

He highlighted the Federation’s BME Progression 2018 Programme commissioned in 2013 which aims to work with forces to develop and improve recruitment, career progression, opportunities for specialisation and retention of women and BME officers.

“We all need to do better at addressing this issue of under representation,” Insp Bria explained during the session which was entitled The Myth of Being A Diverse Police Service, adding that there would be challenges in this area in the next five years.

There were a growing number of new communities, retention issues and a high number of BME officers reaching retirement age having joined during a recruitment surge around 25 years ago.

It was imperative for operational policing that more was done to make the service more representative, he said, pointing to events in America as indicative of the disquiet ‘bubbling under the surface’ and threatening to erupt.

Diverse teams led to a better informed service, an improved perception of fairness within policing, improved trust and confidence in policing from members of the community and in turn improved community engagement.

Policing needed to reflect, represent and look like the communities it serves. There should be a step change in thinking so that differences are valued.

Jayne Willetts from the Police Federation described the work being done around diversity in the organisation.

There was more engagement with groups representing minority groups.

“There is still some way to go before everything is equal,” she concluded

Our rep’s feedback...

This was a very informative session.

Kam Bria, gave a very informative presentation. It was extremely thought-provoking and highlighted the under representation the service is facing across the country.

The police service has really done very little in the last 20 years to increase BME representation. The current crop of senior officers will all be gone in the next five years. So where are the role models coming from?

Figures show that the majority of BME officers are at constable level (83 per cent). However, the bigger picture is that, while the overall BME population representation is 14 per cent, there is only five per cent representation in the police service.

It shows that currently policing is not the employer of choice for people from BME backgrounds. Of the 6,715 BME officers in the country. around 3,500 of them are in the Met Police.

Recent Employment Tribunals have found against forces which

have actively discriminated against BME staff for promotion, again this impacts on the police service being an employer of choice.

Looking at wider diversity, forces still have not got it right on how they deal with females returning from maternity. Part-time workers who are predominately female are still not being treated right. Promotion prospects are not there.

I am proud to say that my sisterin-law is the highest ranking police officer BME in Devon & Cornwall.

However, she is a sergeant.

Derbyshire at least have officers of chief superintendent rank who are from a BME background. However, they will be leaving in a few years and there are a small number who will be following in their footsteps.

The country needs to recruit 17,000 BME officers by 2024 to get to the 14 per cent representation. This is a practical impossibility, especially given the potential level of cuts.

Glynn Bevan

13

Neighbourhood policing vital in fight against terrorism Effective neighbourhood policing is essential in the fight against terrorism and extremism, delegates heard in a session led by the country’s counter terrorism chief.

He explained that there were currently hundreds of live investigations, with 60 per cent being run jointly with MI5, 124 investigations followed reports of missing people.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the National Police Chiefs’ Council leader for counter terrorism, highlighted the increased risk of terrorists, extremists and other criminals exploiting ‘blindspots’ in technology to pass under the radar with IT ‘capability degradation’ leaving parts of the internet unpoliced.

On average there were 85 arrests per quarter with only half being charged with an offence but officers were using every tool available to them to cause ‘relentless disruption’ to terrorist activities which was helping prevent attacks.

And, he once again stressed the ‘severe’ threat to police officers highlighting that new guidance, advising officers on safety precautions, would be issued soon.

“We must ensure that our officers are as safe as possible,” he told conference, adding that withdrawing officers from the streets would mean the terrorists had won and therefore a balance had to be struck between officer safety and a visible presence.

“It still remains our job to step into harm’s way. As the challenge changes so has our response.”

AC Rowley said the service needed to build a strong counter terrorism model with a regional footprint and an international reach, with wider collaboration with the National Crime Agency and a link between local policing and other parts of the network.

“Neighbourhood policing is at the forefront of our fight,” he explained, having pointed out the growing evidence of street gang members being vulnerable to becoming radicalised by extremist groups along with homeless people, those with mental health issues and detainees in prisons. A third of those arrested under counter terrorism laws had no previous terrorist link.

Terrorism lead AC Mark Rowley.

Our rep’s feedback...

AC Rowley’s message was that frontline local policing in neighbourhoods and communities is absolutely vital in the fight against terrorism in terms of gathering intelligence and identifying individuals who are vulnerable to radicalisation through the terrorists’ narrative.

Tony Wetton

International challenge The realities of the international challenges of policing were brought home to delegates during a Wednesday afternoon session featuring presentations from three policing leaders from overseas.

14

Greg O’Connor, chair of the International Council of Police Representative Associations (ICPRA), Anna Nellberg Dennis, president of EuroCOP, and Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, explained the increased need for cross border policing initiatives due to the globalised nature of crime.

options for criminals, increased mobility (of both goods and people) and technological advances including the global reach of the internet which provided unlimited victims for enterprising criminals. “The presentation by Europol was the most interesting with regards to the issue of crime extending through the internet. The drug dealers of today are not dealing out on the streets where they could potentially by caught by traditional policing methods.

They are using the ‘dark net’ to exploit new market,” says Glynn Bevan, Derbyshire Police Federation representative.

The changing dynamic, Rob said, was largely due to three factors – deregulation within the economy offering more

“The presentation from Greg, the union leader from New Zealand, was a thought-provoker of what happens when

communities lose confidence in the police.

The politicians follow and police officer killings go virtually unreported.

“This session brought home to me the massive effect cyber-crime can have on the banking industry. One case mentioned involved the theft of over one billion dollars by accessing the administrator rights of the large banking companies.

“I could not see the relevance of the EuroCop organisation on British police.

We operate a different policing model and I am sure our terms and conditions are different.

‘Best bit of kit’ – but still questions over BWV The panel Doug Campbell, PFEW Carl Gumsley, Commissioner, IPCC Scott Ingram, senior principal lawyer, Slater & Gordon Andy Marsh, Chief Constable, Hampshire PS Adam Smith, firearms training manager, Metropolitan Police Body-worn video (BWV) has an important part to play in modern policing, but should not be used to supersede the honestly held belief of an officer caught up in a violent, or potentially violent situation.

That was the message from speaker after speaker at conference as they recognised the many benefits of BWV and highlighted concerns that need addressing before any full roll-out.

Andy Marsh, Chief Constable of Hampshire, referred to the work done within his Force where officers are encouraged to provide commentary when wearing BWV. Many have described it as: “The best bit of kit I have ever been given.”

Benefits, he said, included: • Transparency - showing the level of violence being faced • Being an independent witness, catching the dynamic decision-making process • Ensuring charges reflect the level of violence • Giving victims confidence to give evidence and go to court • A reduction in complaints • Earlier guilty pleas when perpetrators are faced with the evidence, saving time and money •

Possible moderation of behaviour of individuals when they see video cameras, potentially reducing assaults on officers.

He is deploying 2,800 BWV to front-line staff, funded through reserves, and said: “If we are going to have fewer staff, those fewer people have to be well led, well equipped and supported by technology.”

A note of caution came from PS Adam Smith who pointed out the very many differences between seeing through our eyes and the images taken, via a video camera. Our eyes take in information from a wider scene, and our brains selectively access that information.

However, he said, the IPCC feels answers must be found to issues such as:

He went on to say that the mounting options of BWV cameras is of key importance since people all stand and look differently.

He added: “It is important to have good training, and to have other evidence, evidence of the perceptions at the time. It is important BWV is seen not as a panacea but as an important tool for policing.”

Adam said: “Video cannot replace the honestly held belief of an officer which is based upon training, situation awareness and happens in a split second. Video only shows what is happening in front of it.

BWV can only supplement the officer’s statement, it cannot be primary evidence.

We cannot substitute it for personal experience.”

Carl Gumsley, Commissioner, IPCC, acknowledged the benefits of BWV, but warned answers must be found to some of the questions around its use.

There is, he said, academic evidence from two small-scale studies in the United States.

One recorded a 59 per cent reduction in use of force by officers wearing cameras and an 87 per cent reduction in complaints against officers wearing cameras. The other showed that officers without cameras had nearly three times the number of complaints made against them.

• Invasion of privacy, and the potential for unjustified and improper videoing • Whether it could be seen as a back door to increased surveillance • Whether it prevents officers using discretion for fear that if they do not arrest they will be criticised.

Scott Ingram raised concerns that in death and serious injury cases officers may not be allowed to review BWV evidence before making detailed statements at the earliest opportunity.

He feared this undermines the position of an officer who is a witness, but who can very quickly become a suspect, and whose recall may be affected by emotional The debate was held the day before turmoil after events, making the officer Home Secretary Theresa May announced vulnerable. to conference that there would be £15 million of new funding to provide extra Doug Campbell said the Federation is health-based beds and facilities to ensure fully behind BWV, but wants assurances no-one is held inappropriately in police of issues around video ownership, cells. encryption, standardisation, procurement, sustainability of technology, compatibility and accessibility across the police service and the wider criminal justice system.

15

Celebrating 100 years of change The inspirational women who over the past 100 years have helped shape policing as it is today were centre stage for the final day of conference.

And it was clear to see how far attitudes have changed since even the mid-late 1900s, when a clip was shown of retired female police officers interviewed for BBC Four’s Fair Cop programme who revealed: “A superintendent once told me that it was better value to employ a police dog than a police woman, because a dog stayed for longer.”

“I had a male DI and my first job of the day was to make him a cup of tea, put it on his desk and curtsey before I left his office.”

First on stage was Pamela Collier, former Birmingham City Police, 19661978, WPC 134, whose career had began in an era of separate women’s divisions. (See article on next page).

Lynne Owens, Chief Constable of Surrey Police, revealed how she has had an amazing career since she joined in 1989, but that there had been two negatives along the way.

The first was, she said: “When I became pregnant with my daughter, I was then a Federated rank. My boss couldn’t conceive a woman detective would want to return to full-time duty… I was determined to prove him wrong, come back to work and be the best I could be.”

The second came as she transferred between forces, and she is still not sure whether the negativity was due to her being a woman, or how transferring between forces was handled at the time.

She also told conference that the service needs to embrace difference, and not just between men and women.

She said: “The public are not one amorphous bunch, and neither should we be. We should be bold enough to embrace our differences because that is how we get our legitimacy with the public and our ability to police with consent.

“We need different skills. We need people who are brave, those who are

16

strong, those who are emotionally courageous and those who are mentally courageous; we need people who can bring in new ideas and bring in innovation, those who can do detail and make good detectives.

None of us can do all those things so we should value the differences we all bring.”

Looking ahead she feels both optimism and anxiety. The Leadership Review is looking at the organisational structure to overcome some of the structural challenges which are preventing not just women but many others from reaching their potential in the service.

She is anxious, however, that as the service shrinks, it might become more cautious in its approach to flexible and part-time working. She added: “I worry there are less opportunities for people moving across specialisms, or upwards, and I do worry that in the absence of opportunity we might lose some of our brightest and our best people.”

She is also concerned that with less recruitment the progress in representation may be slowed. She said: “We have made a lot of progress for women, but we have not made the same progress for our black and ethnic colleagues and I worry about what that means for the future.”

Looking at the Federation itself, she said she was optimistic when she hears the passion, but she challenged the Federation to do more to embrace difference within itself.

Finally, she said women have made an extraordinary journey in the police force, “thanks often to some extraordinary people who overcame the inequalities they faced, and showed those who doubted their capabilities wrong”.

Asked where she felt female policing would be in 20 years’ time, she said: “I hope we will not be talking about female policing or male policing but that we talk about policing that is representative of society and we are really proud of what we do.”

A modern day female firearms officer.

Is your Home properly protected?

Intasure provide insurance for: Holiday homes Holiday chalets Static homes Park homes Main homes Marine

e v a S o t p u * % 37.5 Call Intasure now on: 0845 111 0680 (Quote reference: 201012)

Or visit the George Burrows website: www.georgeburrows.com

* Terms and conditions apply. Rate related savings of up to 37.5% achieved with no claims discounts (up to 20% for 3 years), property alarm (7.5%) and by excesses selected (up to 10%).

Insurances arranged and administered by Intasure, a trading name of Blenheim Park which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AW. Registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 4990061.

George Burrows is a trading name of Heath Lambert Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: The Walbrook Buidling, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AW. Registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 1199129. Part of the Arthur J Gallagher Group.

17

Officer assault ‘never, ever’ part of the job

John Apter talks about his force’s work on officer assaults.

The panel John Apter, chairman, Hampshire Police Federation Chief Superintendent Scott Chilton, Hampshire Constabulary ACO Nicole Cornelius, Hampshire Constabulary John Montague, Senior District Crown Prosecutor, CPS Wessex Assaults on police officers should “never, ever” be considered part and parcel of the job, and every Federation should be challenging what is happening to protect and support officers in their own forces, conference was told.

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, shared his own experience of looking at the issues raised by assaults on officers, and the shocking lack of a national data base to show the true numbers of police officers affected. Setting the scene was a chilling body-worn video clip from Hampshire Sergeant Kerry Lawrence being severely assaulted last year while dealing with a ‘routine’ case. The perpetrator later received a three-year sentence, in part because the judge could see the level of violence to which she was subjected.

John revealed the strong support he had received when he challenged his Chief Constable to protect officers.

John said: “Officers were telling me that assaults against them were getting more vicious, they were all single crewed and the perception from officers was that it was getting too bad and that we, the Federation, had to do something about it.”

A Crisis Gold Group, chief officer-led, was set up to look at the numbers of assaults, where and when they were happening, post-assault procedures and the engagement with the CPS. Hampshire has developed a simple sevenpoint plan which it will be circulating to other forces to consider adopting. The plan spells out how to better protect and support officers, and to help them return to the front-line quicker after injury.

18

ACO Nicola Cornelius explained they had wanted to discover the true picture

in Hampshire and how it compared with other forces. However, they quickly discovered that only around 20 per cent of assaultsnwere being recorded on their own health & safety system compared to their CRS system, which they are now relying on for a more accurate and ethical picture. They want to find an accurate national picture against which they could benchmark. She said: “I was very surprised to find that some of our own officers seemed to accept assault was just part of the job, it’s just what happens. It must never, ever become that. It is never acceptable to come to work and be assaulted.”

She added: “There is no national monitoring of assaults on police. We need to show that forces are concerned enough to be counting assaults against their officers.”

She reported that assaulted officers have sometimes been left feeling like second class citizens, with some expected to investigate their own assault or receiving no support.

Chief Superintendent Scott Chilton warned: “We only really hear about the vicious assault, but there are thousands of cases where officers are spat at, punched, kicked or dragged and we don’t hear about it. As a service, if we can’t protect our own staff, what does that say to the victim?”

A root and branch review is essential and a unified and united approach is needed.

“Go back and challenge your own forces to see if they are doing everything they possibly can,” he said.

John Montague, Senior District Crown Prosecutor, CPS Wessex, told conference:

“The reason why I get out of bed every morning, why I prosecute in court, is to look after the victims of crime, and to see the impact and the assault on Sgt Lawrence in that video was nothing less than sickening. No member of the public and no police officer should be subjected to that level of assault and violence.”

When he had looked in detail at cases in two months in Hampshire this year, there was a conviction rate, if you have assaulted a police officer, of 95 per cent involving police assault against a general rate in Hampshire of 84 per cent.

Our rep’s feedback...

In Hampshire, only one in five assaults from the crime system were on the health and safety system and it seems likely that we will find a similar discrepancy in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Police Federation, in conjunction with the Force’s health and safety department, is looking at how it can improve the information held in terms of injury and near miss reporting, so look out for this in the coming weeks.

We will need your support to identify and evidence the actual scale of the problem. We will then look at how we can better protect officers and better support those who become the victims of violence.

Tony Wetton

General secretary says reform programme is ‘on track’ The Police Federation has completed 40 per cent of the reform programme instigated

by Sir David Normington’s independent review, according to the national general secretary.

Andy Fittes told conference delegates this meant the organisation was on track with reform but that some of the proposed changes required legislation. He hinted at possible delay ahead, warning, the tractorlike Home Office, was not built for speed.

He said a number of the 36 recommendations the review team, all of which were approved at last year’s conference, have already been implemented including: • The creation of a Joint Fund

for members’ subscriptions

Lynsey Lauer of Accenture and Federation general secretary Andy Fittes talk about the progress with the reform programme.

and honoraria framework.

By May next year, Accenture expects 80 per cent of the work to be completed, again keeping the project ‘on track’.

The Thursday afternoon conference session The Transformation Challenge was jointly led by the general secretary and Accenture’s change programme director, Lynsey Lauer.

In response to a question from Richard Cooke from West Midlands Police Federation, a Federation Change Board representative, confirmed that members would receive a subscription rebate but that, with reducing numbers, they were still working to establish how much would be paid and when.

• The inclusion of a financial

transparency clause in Regulations • The appointment of Accenture

as the change programme manager •

The acceptance of the Federation’s core purpose

•

The publication of an annual public value report (available online at polfed.org)

•

The establishment of an Independent Reference Group

Work, he explained, is actively in progress on 23 more recommendations including changes to the election system with the Federation involving market leaders Electoral Reform Services since it was such a complex issue.

Consultation meetings will also be held with Federation branches across England and Wales during June and early July in relation to the recommendation about a standardised expenses, hospitality

Our rep’s feedback...

Andy Fittes claimed the Federation has demonstrated a willingness to change but lacked evidence to support this claim.

Accenture (which is paid by the JCC) surprisingly praised the centre saying it had hit all its own deadlines, however, the deadlines are over the next three years. Ridiculous.

Four members of the House of Lords have been appointed to the Independent Reference Group because it is believed they will be able to look at the public interest angle? A couple of baronesses and a couple of lords?

The question was asked about Recommendation 36, what is happening with the rebate to members? Rik Nelson responded saying the national Federation would like to be able to provide a rebate, however, he did not know how much, when or how it will do this. Fabulous

The general secretary said there is no plan to asset strip at this time (a worry for boards who own properties) but didn’t rule it out forever. He also said there would be no immediate rush to sort the staff issue. He seemed to indicate all staff would be employed by the centre not separate boards, again a worry as who has control of the individual and will we be allowed to keep as many staff as we think we need or will this be looked at as well?

He also reported about the centralisation of funding, this will happen and we will only be allowed back what we need. Once again, no meat on the bones.

In short, if the recommendation was of benefit to the centre it was pushed, supported and prioritised.

If there was a benefit to a member or Branch Board it was left lagging behind.

Adam Galley

19

Yoga:

benefits for all

Katie Dickinson has been working in partnership with Derbyshire Benevolent Trust (DBT) to offer members yoga sessions. Here she explains her interest in yoga, her training and the benefits it can bring in a Question and Answer feature.

Q. When did you first take up yoga?

A. Ever since my early academic studies I have had a deep interest in the relationship between exercise and the well-being and general health of the individual. I started practising yoga in my early teens when my Mum took me along to her regular class.

Immediately, I felt the benefits of the practice. Over the next few years, I went on to attend many yoga classes of differing styles before deciding I would like to train as a teacher in 2006.

Q. And why?

A. Practising yoga regularly has supported me to become and remain a healthy and well balanced individual.

This has been especially helpful in tackling some of the challenges that life has thrown at me. It has also given me an opportunity to open my mind to a more spiritual approach to life and a passion to continue on this path of self-discovery.

Q. What difference do you feel it has made to you?

A. For me, yoga is a lifestyle choice which brings about a sense of balance and well-being. A regular yoga practice has supported me to feel a deep connection with the universe/ nature and everyone who lives here.

It has also supported me to deal with my emotions in a productive way; to live in the present moment; embrace change and challenging situations; enjoy a healthy balanced diet and remain positive and grateful for each day. Yogic philosophy offers a nonreligious moral path of core values and qualities that I aspire to and this has helped me develop a deep sense of self awareness and knowledge. The beautiful thing about yoga is that there is always something new to learn both in practice and about yourself.

20

Q. When did you start running your own classes?

Q. How did you become involved with DBT?

A. I started teaching my first yoga classes in 2008. Over the last seven years I have been able to develop my classes further and am privileged to have a large number of dedicated students who attend my classes on a weekly basis. I currently teach five classes per week and also undertake one to one lessons.

A. I was initially approached by Ian Godfrey (one of my students) who asked if I would be interested in undertaking some yoga classes on behalf of the trust.

Q. What training did you have?

A. I undertook my initial teacher training Diploma with the Sharma School of Yoga in Sheffield. Following completion of this course, I then went on to complete specialist qualifications in Pregnancy Yoga, Mother & Baby Yoga and Yoga for Children. I am registered with the ‘Yoga Alliance’ and ‘British Wheel of Yoga’ and enjoy attending various workshops and classes on a regular basis. I am currently in the process of completing a 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Diploma in Cambridge which will further my skills and knowledge in a wide variety of yoga disciplines, such as restorative yoga.

Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching people yoga?

A. Over the last 15 years I have dedicated much time to learning about the strategies that can help create a balanced lifestyle. I am passionate about using this knowledge to benefit others and I am a firm advocate of complementary therapies. I love teaching yoga and find great pleasure in helping other people and passing on my knowledge to aid their health and well-being. I feel very privileged to be a yoga teacher and take great pride in my work.

Q. How many sessions have you run for them?

A. I have currently taught 10 yoga sessions.

Q. What did you feel members gained from these sessions?

A. I guess this question would best be posed to the attendees! I have received positive feedback from many of the students with regard to their physical well-being (e.g. releasing tension and tightness in the body) and also mental and emotional benefits, such as an increase in confidence, self awareness and feelings of calm.

Q. Are there plans for more sessions?

A. I am currently in discussions with Ian in order to decide how to develop this service further. Sadly, there were only a small number of attendees at the yoga classes. This may have been a reflection of the location, day and time of the classes or possibly due to pre-conceptions about yoga.

Q. How can people get involved?

A. Contact Ian with ideas and/or interest in attending a yoga class About yoga: The goal of yoga is to balance all of the body’s physical systems with the mind, emotions and spirit in order to experience true well-being. Yoga is defined as ‘yoke’ or ‘unity’, the bringing together of the mind, body and spirit.

The four most important elements of a yoga practice include breathing

(pranayama), posture (asana) and relaxation (savasana) and meditation.

In yoga, the breath is equal to the energy of life and helps to control prana (the vital energy within us).

When we breathe properly, this energy (or prana) is able to flow freely around the body resulting in an increase of energy and vitality.

Breathing correctly is seen as an important link between our physical and mental well-being. It cleanses and strengthens the physical body and calms, steadies and clears the mind. The link between the body and the breath is clear. The muscles need oxygen constantly in order to function effectively.

In yoga the postures are used to help strengthen, energise and invigorate the body and mind. Relaxation provides a space for energy to flow through your entire being and heal the body, mind and soul. Meditation is used to focus and discipline the mind and body.

Q. Who can do yoga?

A. There are no limitations on who can practise yoga. It is appropriate for all age groups and abilities. My regular classes have students ranging in ages from 18 to 78-years-old. They include complete beginners and also students who have been practising yoga for many years. Yoga is noncompetitive in nature and all postures can be adapted to meet individual needs. Yoga teachers are able to offer alternative positions and postures to support students with many health complaints and/or injuries in order for them to have a safe practice.

Q. What benefits does it bring?

A. There are many benefits of a regular yoga practice. It can help to: • Relax and calm the mind, body and spirit • Improve breath awareness • Stretch and tone the whole body (including internal organs) • Improve flexibility • Aid circulation and improve nerve and blood supply to all the vital organs of the body • Strengthen the spine and help to ease back pain • Soothe the nervous system • Improve digestive disorders • Improve energy levels and relieve tiredness • Improve stamina, fitness and concentration • Rejuvenate, diminish tension and teach relaxation • Increase awareness of the body • Improve core strength and stability • Improve balance (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) • Improve posture • Assist in developing mental clarity and focus • Calm and discipline the mind

• Improve concentration and counteract stress • Give control over emotions • Promote a positive, happy attitude.

Q. Is it particularly beneficial for anyone?

A. Yoga can be used to support a wide range of physical health complaints or injury (such as back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, high blood pressure) or mental and emotional difficulties (such as dealing with stress, anxiety and depression).

However, yoga is also very effective as a preventative method to remain healthy physically, mentally and emotionally.

Q. What sets it apart from other exercise or relaxation techniques?

A. I don’t like to think of yoga as ‘being set apart from other exercises or relaxation techniques’. I also enjoy taking part in other physical activities such as swimming, walking, climbing and cycling. Yoga is a practice that goes back thousands of years and offers a variety of ideas and techniques to develop a healthy, well balanced lifestyle. However, yoga may not be for everybody. We are all very different and some people may benefit more from an alternative exercise or relaxation technique.

Q. Do you have to be fit and supple to take up yoga?

A. Absolutely not! As I have already mentioned, yoga is accessible to ALL and you do not need to be fit and/or supple to practise yoga.

Q. How long does it take for people to feel the benefits?

A. Many people can feel an immediate benefit from practising yoga.

However, this is obviously dependent on an individual’s background or situation, health complaints and/or injuries. Generally, it takes several months of practice to experience some of the true benefits of yoga.

There are now so many different styles of yoga, it can be very helpful to try a variety of these. Generally, a student will find a deeper connection with one particular style and teacher (and this may change over time).

Q. What are the myths about yoga – and how would you dispel these?

A. Sadly, there are many myths surrounding yoga and many have developed as a direct result of western culture. For example, needing to be flexible and being able to perform a perfect posture (many prospective students have raised concerns with me about not being able to touch their toes). This is certainly not the case and I am soon

able to put their minds at rest when they start the physical practice.

Some people may think they need to be a certain body shape or age to practise yoga. Again, this is not the case and I have a wide variety of people attend my classes with differing ages and body shapes.

Some men may think that yoga is only practised by women. Yoga was traditionally only practised by men and it was only as it expanded over to the west, that it did initially attract mainly women. Currently, at least a quarter of my yoga students are male and I am hoping that this number will grow and the myth will be dispelled. I am sure there are many more myths surrounding yoga and I always do my best to talk both individually and in class to students to help them feel safe and comfortable in a class environment.

I regularly remind students that yoga is non-competitive and that there is no expectation from me for them to undertake everything offered in a yoga class. Practising with caution and awareness and never forcing are key to a successful yoga practice. Students need to listen carefully to their body and mind.

Self acceptance and non-judgement are a very important part of a yoga practice.

Q. Do you need specialist clothing/ equipment?

A. It is most helpful to practice yoga on a mat as this helps offer support for the body physically. I encourage students to wear something comfortable, for example, tracksuit bottoms or leggings and a t-shirt or jumper. Yoga is ideally a bare foot practice. However, some students prefer to wear socks. It is often helpful to bring a blanket to class to support you in postures and to use during relaxation. There are various pieces of equipment that can be used, such as blocks and straps (most teachers are able to provide these as and when required).

Q. Is it something you can practise at home once you understand the principles?

A. Definitely, yoga is ideal to practise at home and there are a wide range of books, DVDs and information on the internet. I would always advise people to attend a regular class as well because a teacher is able to correct alignments in the physical postures to ensure safe practice and reduce any risk of injury. I always encourage students to practise ‘little and often’ in their home environment. This makes it more accessible (10 minutes a day rather than 90 minutes once a week).

Many teachers will give hand-outs or suggestions to support home practice.

21

Why play golf?

By retired Derbyshire officer Andrew Picken, a member of the Derbyshire Police Golf Society It is all down to you I played quite a lot of team sports when growing up. It wasn’t too high a standard, but I took it seriously.

In retirement, I wanted to play a sport that was solely reliant on my own ability and not that of a team mate. I still wanted the sociability of a sport and golf seems to fit the bill perfectly.

We still play team based events in a golfing context and these can be really good fun. However, if YOU carve the ball into the lake there is only one person to blame.

Practice makes perfect

“The more I practise, the luckier I get” is a quote that has been attributed to Gary Player. Generally speaking – if you put more time into your golf practice, and practise the right things – your scores will improve.

This works well for me – I have the time and commitment to put into practising the different things that go into making a complete golfer and to date my handicap has kept reducing.

As you get a lower handicap, it gets much harder to keep improving at the same rate but that is part of the challenge.

Beautiful scenery

Before I played golf I used to sit in front of my computer for hours. Now I’m playing golf I get out into the countryside to breathe fresh air, see lots of nature and be close to water.

Most courses are really in tune with environmental concerns and ensure wildlife is protected and encouraged.

Socialising and friendship

Although in most competitions you play against each other and the course, you still have two or three playing partners who join you for the round and share the duties of scoring.

Four hours of golf will lead to many opportunities to get to know who you are playing with better.

There is a maxim stating that yo u don’t know a person until you have played golf with them. I agree it brings out the best (and worst) in people.

I’ve made some good friends and also business contacts through the game.

Of course, there is plenty of time for socialising in the bar after a round of golf and often other social activities at the golf club.

22

Good exercise

Golf is a great non-impact exercise.

Seven thousand yards equals around five miles which is a good walk in anybody’s book. An average round of golf burns up at least 1,700 calories.

As you play more golf and you want to improve, you’ll start taking your exercise away from the course more seriously too.

A great challenge for all ages and abilities Golf has to be one of the most accessible sports going – apart from maybe darts or fishing! (Are they really sports?)

I love playing against my son (who is 18) and an excellent golfer. In 12 months playing he has dropped his handicap from 34 to 15 and is still improving rapidly.

It is not as expensive as you think, and you do have time for it!

I added this in at the last moment as many of my friends think golf is too expensive for them to play and they don’t have time for it.

As part of the Derbyshire Police Golf Society, we have equipment that can be loaned out to anyone wanting to try the game for the first time.

How many other sports can a 10-yearold play against an 80-year-old and via the handicap system have a great competitive game?

We have also established great links with local PGA teaching professionals who are able to provide clubs free of charge for initial training courses.

Golf can be played without any reference to gender. Some of the best professional golfers I have played with are members of the Ladies Tour.

There are many forms of golf developing from nine hole courses with extra size holes to golf courses catering for foot golf. This can be great fun when a few friends get together to play competitively.

I also won the chance to play with professional golfers and was invited to play at Hanbury Manor with Tom Lewis, a rising star in English golf. He won the Portuguese Masters in his third ever professional event winning £444,000 for four days’ work. He also scored a three on the par five 18th hole to win the title. I took 11 shots to cover the same distance and ended up closely acquainted with a number of the water hazards the hole features.

So that brings us on to the question of time. Friends claim they don’t have four hours to spend on golf – RUBBISH! It’s the equivalent of a night out and can be as expensive or cheap as you wish it to be.

Well-being

If I play tennis I will never play at Wimbledon, if I play football I can never expect to play at Wembley. Yet I have played a number of the top 100 golf courses in the world on an equal footing with other golfers.

There is an incredible sense of community and effective socialisation when involved in golf. I love the banter that accompanies every round of golf at whatever level. It is a fantastic way to keep up with friends and colleagues in a relaxed and stress free manner.

It is incredible to have the chance to measure your own performance against the best golfers in the world in this way.

Try it what have you got to lose?

The initial six-week training course is £40 with all the equipment provided for free.

Cross generational

Check out this website for more information and details of the latest campaign to grow the game.

One of the things that attracted me to golf was the fact that it is a sport I can take up now and, if everything goes well, still play in my eighties.

http://www.getintogolf.org

Massey’s murmurings – the words of a retired cop

Thou ghts from one of

our r etire d frie nds

By Pete Massey, a former Fed rep Let’s see what Mrs May has in store Hello all. Since my last article we have had an election, which I think will have huge implications for the police service. At least we avoided the worst case scenario, i.e.

Ed Miliband as PM with the SNP pulling the strings and Ed Balls running the finances. Whether a Conservative majority Government is a good thing, I don’t know.

The major drawback is that Mrs May (the Home Secretary) now has a clear path to do what she wants. I only hope that someone has the ability to talk some

sense into her. I’m not holding my breath.

So we will have to wait and see what she has in store. The only thing I am certain of is that it will probably be a very scary ride and there is not a lot any of us can do about it.

depressing at times. So my advice, for what it’s worth, is while you can still kick the ball, kick it as hard as you can.

Enjoy whatever good weather we get and, although it’s difficult, try to have fun at work.

The only option then is to enjoy the summer (when it finally gets going) and hope that it’s a scorcher.

As you get older, you find that the news of the passing of colleagues becomes more and more frequent. It gets quite

I hope you all enjoy good health and stay safe.

The two GMP officers killed in a gun and grenade attack on 18 September 2012 were honoured with a newly created annual award during conference.

The families of Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes received a long standing ovation as they were welcomed to the stage to receive the Police Federation of England and Wales’ Women in Policing Award recognising the outstanding endeavour and dedication to duty by female officers.

“Emotionally it’s a massive thing to accept the award,” said Nicola’s father, Bryn, “I think it should be [seen] as a celebration of Nicola and Fiona’s life and not a concentration on what happened to them.”

Posthumous award for Fiona and Nicola

Fiona’s father Paul explained: “It’s a great thing for the Police Federation to acknowledge the role of women in policing over the years,” he said, “Fiona and Nicola gave the ultimate sacrifice but they were just doing their job.”

A ‘Women in Policing’ award winner, nominated from forces throughout England and Wales and selected by a judging panel, will now be presented at conference every year.

23