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Chairman’s Introduction We are at the forefront of change
Frustrated secretary...
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Chairman’s email
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Lowest numbers since 2001
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Severe threat to police
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Drop in compaints
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‘Realistic’ pay rise
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Push for Tasers
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Support for pensions
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Benevolent Trust for free
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Conference date
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‘Vicims let down’
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Pressure on forces
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Our work around this can be summarised into these areas:
Twitter campaign
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• Meetings – schedule and necessity
Police cells no place for mentally ill 16 Getting on - retired cop
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Pension changes
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By Mark Pickard, chairman, Derbyshire Police Federation You will have already noted the new style of magazine and I hope you enjoy its updated appearance. The change is as a direct result of feedback from our members’ survey. This year I produced our first annual report. The full document can be viewed on the website but I thought I would just mention some highlights. The independent review of the national Police Federation said we should all produce an annual report to show how our work helps with policing efficiency and impacts on our service to the public.
• Number of representatives within our Branch Board and separate rank boards • The existence of separate rank boards • Abstractions from core role • National conference at Bournemouth. We have significantly changed our practices in relation to meetings bringing increased value for money through savings of around £49,000 and fewer abstractions.
Plodding On is published by
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This led to significantly less Regulation notices being served on our members over the year. From a high in 2012 of 252 Regulation notices served, we have seen a significant fall of 75.8 per cent in 2014. This yet again shows that by working with the Force and looking at our working practices we can dramatically increase the efficiency of the Federation representation and the Force.
Force ceremonies
We continued to sponsor the attestation and award ceremonies for our new recruits and more experienced officers throughout 2014 and will do so during 2015.
Family law clinics
We aspire to have one day a week set aside for ‘Family Law Clinics’ where our members can book in to see a expert in this area.
In summary
It is clear from the work we are doing that we are leaders in innovation and change. We have put our members firmly at the heart of all that we do – as was the intention of the independent review team. With the progress we have already made, we are working towards a bright future and we have a number of plans already in place to further improve the way we work and the service we provide.
We are reducing to between 13 and 15 representatives (currently 15). Their ranks will be left to the will of the constituents of each area. We have suspended rank boards. On 15 January 2015 our first workplace representative volunteers received training from solicitor, Mark Lake, at our offices. Our are aiming to have one workplace representative per shift. If you wish to become a workplace representative please contact the office. We have also worked with PSD, in particular its head, Supt Rachel Walker, to embed changes to working practices and procedures within the department. 3
‘Frustrated’ secretary challenges national leaders in subs row Three months after writing to the leaders of the Police Federation England and Wales in a row over the payment of subscriptions from the Derbyshire branch to the centre, local secretary Ian Godfrey says he remains frustrated and disappointed with the actions of some of the national officers. The row broke out when Derbyshire decided to pay its members’ Federation subscriptions to the centre annually rather than monthly but has also been fuelled by a perceived lack of progress in reforming in line with Sir David Normington’s independent review of the Police Federation, despite clear direction to get on with the changes recommended from delegates at last year’s annual conference. In his most recent email on the issue sent to national officials at the start of December, Ian explains: “As a subscribing member of the Police Federation, I am appalled at the lack of progress made to implement the Normington recommendations and the steadfastness shown by many to cling on to the old structure, keeping the 30 Joint Central Committee (JCC) members firmly in charge. “This unwillingness to change impacts upon the entire organisation as we continue to be shown as one which is archaic, paralysed by inefficiency and out of touch with the pressures the rest of the police service is facing.” In relation to the row over Derbyshire’s subs, he adds: “The fact that members of the JCC have ignored requests for information and refused to share legal advice which they assert supports their claims, treating such information as ‘Private’ when it has been obtained at the costs of members’ money and have actually considering taking legal action against another of its constituent parts, just because it doesn’t like what they have done means that I have reached the point where I have to seriously consider whether or not I continue to allow my money to be used to prop up this façade.” 4
The Interim National Board (the former Joint Central Committee) had challenged Derbyshire’s ability to pay annually and said it would change regulations to compel local branches to pay monthly. Leicestershire has also been embroiled in a similar dispute. Ian first wrote to the national chairman, Steve White, general secretary Andy Fittes and treasurer Martyn Mordecai on 18 November when he asked what authority the national board had to change the regulations. He wrote: “On a technical point, you (by agreement) were sat as the INB and from what I have read you have never adopted any [amended] standing orders, let alone the standing orders of the former JCC. All that said and without prejudice to the ‘decision’ you have made: please explain from where your derive the authority to make such a decision and how you conclude that this is binding upon anyone save for the JCC.” When Ian had still not received a response two weeks later, he again wrote to the three leaders but this time in his capacity as a member of the Federation rather than secretary at the Derbyshire branch.
“I find the whole situation regarding the payment of funds to the centre, the subsequent treatment of our Branch Board Trustees and reaction from fulltime national officials and the trustees to Central Committee funds duplicitous, politically motivated and deplorable,” he writes. He goes on to criticise a lack of progress with implementing the recommendations of the Normington review, and accuses members of the central committees and some branch boards of ‘doing all they could to resist this change’ and ‘clinging on to their separate rank identities’. Ian explains: “We also noted that the separate central committees were continuing to hold national meetings under the thin guise of ‘forums’, perpetuating the unnecessary abstraction of officers from their core role and that some committees were holding costly dinners to mark the retirement of their members. In short, we felt that there was a disregard for the GMP motion (calling for an end to rank committees) and a continuance of profligacy at the centre.
“Our board did not wish to contribute to this folly and moreover sought ways in which we could influence change. To that end we decided to continue to collect subscription funds from Derbyshire members; apportion and allocate them to the central committees on a monthly basis, but only pay the money once a the provision for unified funds was in place, or at year end as per fund rules: whichever was the soonest. “As a result of this decision, trustees of the Central Committee funds wrote to our trustees threatening them with court action and asserted that Derbyshire was acting unlawfully. The joint treasurer, Mr Mordecai, has spoken with me and has accused us of ‘withholding funds’, and I understand that consideration has been given to not providing funding for legal representation for Derbyshire members.” Ian highlights a meeting at which consideration was given by the INB to changing how subscriptions are paid to the centre, during which it is implied that the ‘withholding’ of subscription income by some boards could effect the Joint Fund such that it could not effectively function for the benefit of the PFEW and its members’. The statement, he points out in his letter last December, implies Derbyshire is starving the centre of money.
“However, Mr Mordecai regularly claims that he keeps £19m ‘at the bank’ as this is one year’s operating costs and urges all treasurers to adopt a similar principle. Therefore our decision not to make monthly payments cannot have any impact upon the services provided to members,” Ian explains. He goes on to say that while the paper considered by the INB quotes Regulation 16(3) of the Police Federation (Financial) Regulations 1969 (as amended) and upon which the papers author asserts that the JCC has the authority to “determine both the amount and manner of payment in any given year”. “The regulation quoted is Regulation 16 of Police Federation Regulations, I cannot find any such instrument as Police Federation (Financial) Regulations.” Regulation 16 states: “Out of the sum collected by way of subscriptions in each year, a branch board shall pay to the appropriate central committee such sum in respect of each subscribing member as the Joint Central Committee shall have determined should be paid by branch boards in that year but, subject to the next following paragraph, the balance of the sum so collected shall be retained by the branch board.”
Ian explains: “There is no mention of the JCC having the authority to determine the frequency of payments. Moreover this regulation reinforces the position of our board: that we are entitled to make payments annually.” And he adds: “I therefore assert that the JCC/INB has made it decision based upon erroneous information and by making the agreement, as set out in the recently published unratified minutes, has acted ultra vires.”
The trustees and treasurer of the Derbyshire Branch Board still await the appointment of a national financial director, as recommended in the Normington review. Once one has been appointed they will meet to discuss arrangements for paying subscription funding to the centre. Although there has been no written response to any of the emails sent to the national officials, national chair Steve White has met Ian at the Derbyshire Federation offices in South Normanton on 3 December 2014. “The meeting was cordial and professional,” says Ian, “But I made it clear that Derbyshire Branch Board wants to see Federation reform so when the centre shows itself to be resisting change I will voice my concerns.”
‘Inspectors should lead’ Derbyshire Police Federation chairman Mark Pickard has written to the new chairman of the inspectors nationally, Barry Fletcher, with concerns about lack of progress with reform at the Police Federation.
Barry As a member of the inspecting rank I am disappointed to see that the inspectors’ part of the INB have not seen, and indeed taken, the opportunity to lead the INB and the whole country in change. Alan Ogg, as everyone knew, was to retire. It is my view that we should not have replaced Alan as a regional rep in Region 4 and definitely not as chair of what should now be no more, the ICC (Inspectors’ Central Committee). Conference voted that the separate boards should be disbanded and married into the INB. We are all aware that there are many at Leatherhead who want to keep the ‘status quo’ but this is also denied by all at Leatherhead. The actions of the inspectors at Leatherhead, by voting in a new chair, tends to show that you do wish to perpetuate the old guard. You will all be aware that chief constables around the country, and in particular, CC Creedon of Derbyshire have questioned the requirement to pay for all the full-time representation at Leatherhead, particularly as our budgets outside the ‘bubble’ that is Leatherhead HQ have been slashed. I am aware that part of their questioning of the payment has also been the question of the ‘slimming down’ of full-time officials at Leatherhead.
I am not sure of the assurances given at Chiefs’ Council but I am pretty sure questions will have been asked about slimming down. Surely a way of showing that the inspecting rank wish to lead change would have been to cut the payment of individual forces for regional reps by not replacing Alan Ogg and not filling the chair’s position ( even if in name alone)? You talk about needing a voice at this time. Are you telling me that you need a chair to have that voice? Surely you can still speak and give the views of inspectors if, in fact, there are issues that just affect inspectors (I doubt there are many). I am also of the view that at a time when the inspecting rank are being cut across the country, and thus pressure is being placed on those that remain, you should not be perpetuating the national meetings. I am sure those attending will have voted to retain the meetings, they would wouldn’t they? You will be aware that Derbyshire will not be sending any inspectors as they have a job to do in Force. The inspecting rank should be leading the way, not playing and perpetuating the game!
We, in Derbyshire, along with others have taken a lead by making the JBB separates’ chair and secretary positions no more. As reps leave, we are not replacing. This is to show we embrace the findings of Normington and that we understand the part we have to play in austerity measures.
I look forward to your reply and reserve the right to publish this in our next Plodding On magazine.
Certainly, I will be raising this issue with my SMT as they, and the communities of Derbyshire, will be paying for the decision taken.
Mark Pickard Chairman - Derbyshire
Regards
I feel that ACPO will look at the stance you and others have taken and begin to realise that change will be slow, if at all, and that the only way to get change is to force change.
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Numbers lowest since 2001 Police officer numbers have fallen to their lowest figure since 2001 with the loss of 1,295 officers in the 12 months until 30 September 2014, according to the latest statistics released by the Home Office. The total number of police in the forces across England and Wales at 30 September 2014 was 127,075, compared to 125,600 at the end of September 2001 and 128,370 in September 2013. Derbyshire lost the equivalent of 32 fulltime officers in the 12 months until the end of September last year – the second highest number in the East Midlands. The region lost 119 officers in that same period. “We are all aware that the budget cuts are really starting to bite. The reality is that the Force is having to reduce officer numbers so that it can in turn trim down its expenditure but that means that there are now 32 fewer police officers to serve our communities,” says Mark Pickard, chairman of Derbyshire Police Federation.
“The Force is doing its best to avoid affecting front-line policing but there are only so many of us to go around and while our numbers are reducing I see no corresponding fall in demand. “In fact, if anything we are seeing an increase in calls for our help as we fill the gaps left when other organisations scale back their services to cope with their own budget restrictions.” Officer numbers in England and Wales hit a high of 144,353 in September 2009 but have been falling since with a sharp drop of more than 6,000 officers between September 2010 (141,850) and September 2011 (135,838).
‘Severe threat to police’ Derbyshire Police Federation chairman Mark Pickard is urging all officers to be vigilant after the country’s policing lead for counter terrorism announced an increased threat to their safety from terrorists. The warning by Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley means that an attack on a police officer is now likely. “We want all officers to keep up to date as further information becomes available so would advise them to regularly check the Force intranet,” says Mark.
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“The terrorist attacks in Paris have shown how severe the risks are. We join the police service to serve and protect our communities. Of course, we will remain committed to doing this while also acknowledging the increased threat to our own safety.”
As a service we are regularly assessing what we do in order to adapt to the changing and challenging issues we face. We continue to urge police officers and staff to follow existing policies and good practice to counter terrorism and ensure their own safety.
AC Rowley has announced that the threat level for police officers and Jewish communities had been increased to ‘severe’.
“It has always been good practice, regardless of threat level, to avoid wearing uniform and take sensible precautions when travelling to and from work.”
The Federation’s national chairman Steve White said: “Police officers face lifethreatening risks on a daily basis and are prepared to do so fully aware of the risks involved.
Drop in complaints against Force The total number of complaints against Derbyshire Constabulary decreased by 12 per cent to 443 in 2013/14, compared to an increase of 15 per cent for England and Wales, the latest figures issued by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) have revealed. The latest fall follows a decrease of 13 per cent in the Force’s recorded complaints in 2012/13. “It is pleasing to see that Derbyshire is bucking the national trend by showing a continued and significant fall in the number of complaints made about our officers. We are one of only five forces out of the 43 across England and Wales to achieve a reduction in complaints in the last 12 months,” says Mark Pickard, chairman of Derbyshire Police Federation. “This is now the second consecutive year where complaints against Derbyshire’s police officers has fallen. At a time when officers are finding themselves stretched due to budget cuts and reduced numbers, it is a testament to their commitment to delivering a quality service that they are attracting fewer and fewer complaints. “But we will not be complacent. We will aim to see a further reduction in the next 12 months too despite the increased pressures we are under.” Some of the overall increase in complaints during 2013/14 is due to the definition of a complaint being broadened beyond an officer’s conduct to include ‘direction and control’ matters to do with operational policing. A complaint case may have one or more allegations attached to it. A total of 803 allegations were made against Derbyshire Constabulary. Per 1,000 employees the Force recorded 228 allegations, compared to 251 for all forces in England and Wales. A complainant has the right to appeal about the way in which a police force has handled their complaint. A total of 35 per cent of appeals from the public against Derbyshire Constabulary were upheld by the IPCC, compared with a nine per cent upheld rate for those considered by the Force itself. The overall uphold rate by police forces in England and Wales is 20 per cent, compared with 46 per cent by the IPCC. The IPCC upheld nine of 19 appeals where people were unhappy that Derbyshire Constabulary had not recorded their complaint, and 31 per cent (19) of 61 appeals from people unhappy with the Derbyshire Constabulary investigation into their complaint. to an England and Wales
In 2013/14, Derbyshire Constabulary finalised 464 complaint cases in an average of 116 working days, compared to an England and Wales average of 101 working days. Across England and Wales the most common complaints involve allegations that an officer has been neglectful or failed in their duty, or that an officer’s behaviour has been uncivil, impolite or intolerant. To read the full report, visit: http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/Documents/ research_stats/complaints_ statistics_2012-1 3_and_2013-14.PDF )
Police need ‘realistic’ pay rise Police officers should receive a one per cent pay rise – the limit set by the Government – in the next financial year, according to the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW). The Federation has explained in detail why it feels officers should receive the full one per cent in a submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), the organisation that has taken over from the Police Negotiating Board and now considers police pay. “Our submission takes a long-term approach with the PRRB – showing us to be a credible, fair and responsible staff association, providing strong, transparent and reliable evidence now and for the longterm,” says Andy Fittes, general secretary of PFEW, in an open letter published after the submission was made. He goes on to explain: “We appreciate that there may be some officers who feel we should have asked for more but we have a responsibility to be realistic about what may be achieved. We have a responsibility to get for them the best possible deal, taking into account the current economic climate and the requirements set out in the remit letter to the PRRB.
Federation to push for Tasers for all officers The Police Federation of England and Wales’ Interim National Board (INB) has voted unanimously to support a policy that all operational police officers who wish to volunteer should have the opportunity to successfully complete Taser training and be issued and authorised to carry the devices. The INB also agreed to support the action of the National Armed Policing and Less Lethal Weapons Working Group/ Secretariat in asking forces to conduct a Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment of current Taser capability and capacity provision to gain evidence in support of a wider roll-out to more operational police officers. Steve White, national Federation chair, said: “This is a step in the right direction and we will now work with ACPO, individual chief officers, the Superintendents’ Association and the Home Office to progress this as a matter of urgency. “We have long called for a wider rollout of Taser. Now the time is right for all operational police officers to have the option to carry Taser which I believe will provide greater public reassurance. “Any officer authorised to carry Taser must be fully trained to do so and there are strict procedures and safeguards in place to ensure all officers are fully accountable. “It is only right that police officers be given the choice to carry Taser and we urge Government and all chief officers to give this their support.”
“It would be pointless to ask for something we know we cannot get, only to find that we receive less than the maximum average award percentage set out in the remit letter, on the basis that the PRRB knows we will be disappointed anyway.” The Federation is asking for the rise to be paid to all officers including those who receive an increment in basic pay, existing regional allowances and all allowances normally included in uplifts such as dog handlers’ allowance. You can read the full Police Federation of England and Wales submission by visiting http://www.polfed.org/fedatwork/reports. aspx)
Here to support its members Telephone: 0300 122 8533 enquiries@derbyshirefederation.org.uk www.derbyshirefederation.org.uk
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Keep your Finances in shape George Burrows puts a high priority on the welfare of you and your family.
See what other people have to say:
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Visiting Caroline Harris was well worth the time. She helped put my mind at rest with informed information rather than guess work. Ian Skidmore, serving police officer
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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.
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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
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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.
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 the 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 number:1199129 England and Wales. www.gallagherheath.com 5365_12_SD4234_A/112014
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Support pensions campaign by writing to police minister A police widow is asking serving and retired officers, police widows, police support staff and members of the public to help convince the Government that it needs to allow police pensions under the 1987 rules to be paid to widows even if they co-habit with a partner or remarry. Kate Hall, the widow of a West Midlands Police officer, wrote to police minister Mike Penning as part of the pension campaign she launched last year and he has now replied saying that campaigners would need to provide ‘compelling and clear arguments’ for the scheme to be changed.
“I have written back to say that it will be easy for us to present compelling and clear arguments - that the risks faced by military personnel are not unique. One has only to open a newspaper or turn on the TV to know the risks faced each and every day by serving police officers,” says Kate in a message sent to supporters of her campaign. “Military families are undoubtedly affected by the service of their spouse, parent or relative, but so too are the families of police officers.”
He pointed out that this had been the case when the Government changed the rules allowing pensions for life for war widows in November last year saying the risks faced by military personnel presented a unique set of circumstances.
Letters should be attached to an email and sent to mike@penning4hemel.com.
Mark letters and emails ‘Private and Confidential’.
Kate was 24 when her husband Colin died of a heart attack while working as a dog handler and attending a disturbance at a block of flats in 1987. Currently, police widows are not allowed to keep their pensions under the 1987 scheme if they re-marry or live with a new partner. There is no such restriction under the new scheme. As part of her campaign, which is supported by NARPO, West Midlands Police Federation and the Police Federation of England and Wales, Kate and other members of COPS - the Care of Police Survivors charity - have lobbied MPs at Parliament and also set up an online petition.
If you do write to your MP to help make the ‘compelling and clear’ argument on behalf of the police widows, please also send a copy marked ‘evidence’ to CathrynHall@outlook.com
Pensions update
Mr Brine, who works as parliamentary private secretary to the minister in Theresa May’s Home Office team, said; “This is a basic issue of fairness. Some police widows and widowers currently lose their pensions for life if they remarry or start living with a new partner. Changes were made in 2006 but they didn’t include everyone and this group is effectively prevented from re-marrying and having a complete family life unless they accept losing their widowed pension.
The Police Federation has issued guidance to officers who may be able to transfer in benefits accrued under another pension scheme into the existing police pension schemes. The latest circular issued by the Federation’s national general secretary, Andy Fittes, also explains the transitional protection available to officers nearing retirement who are in the current pension schemes as part of the introduction of the new 2015 Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) Police Pension Scheme on 1 April this year.
“I don’t think those who lost their lives protecting our communities would want this - and now that this Government has agreed changes for war widows and widowers it’s right and fair that we do the same for the police.”
For more information visit the Derbyshire Police Federation website: derbyshirefederation.org.uk
MP calls for fairness Winchester MP Steve Brine has pledged his support to the campaign and has met with police minister Mike Penning to encourage him to consider the case for all police widows and widowers to get their widowed pension provision for life - even if they remarry or live with a new partner.
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Join the Benevolent Trust, for free – and start reaping the benefits All police officers together with police staff and retired members can now take advantage of a full range of benefits offered by the Derbyshire Benevolent Trust – three months ahead of schedule. Membership is FREE and not exclusive to members of Derbyshire Police Federation or its Group Insurance Scheme. All you have to do to access the offers and benefits available is collect a card from the Federation office. There are three types of membership: Ordinary – for police officers serving within Derbyshire Constabulary Associate – for all Force staff and the widows or widowers of deceased members
Retired - for people who have retired from the Force and had been subscribing Trust members for at least two years before retiring.
Membership is also open to spouses, partners and members’ children aged up to 22. The trust was formed in June 2014 and now manages the Derbyshire Police Federation Group Insurance Scheme, travel insurance and motor breakdown cover.
The object of the trust is: “To provide and permit welfare and benevolent facilities for members and their families” Being independent means that the trust can work in a more commercial or business oriented way to develop benefits, discounts and incentives for its members and arrange service, provisions and initiatives that its members want without the constraints of being a member of a national body.
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This means that any profits that are made through commissions or marketing revenue remains in Derbyshire and MUST be used for the benefit of trust members. Most people are aware that the Federation arranged an excellent Group Insurance Scheme (GIS).The trust has widened the membership of the GIS so that it is now available to all Derbyshire Police officers and is currently negotiating terms for a support staff scheme so that Derbyshire police staff can enjoy the significant benefits and saving that group scheme delivers. Ian Godfrey says: “There are off the shelf schemes available for support staff but they are nowhere near as good as our police officer scheme. I am negotiating a product that compares very closely with our existing scheme to reinforce the fact that the DBT is there for everyone, from joining the constabulary, into retirement. We want to develop a real Derbyshire family feel and allow everyone to feel included.” Throughout 2015 the trust will work with Derbyshire Branch Board to understand what ‘members’ services’ they currently offers, which the Branch Board wishes to continue with and which the Benevolent Trust can look to take over and even develop. The main focus of the trust will initially be ‘well-being’ in both physical and financial terms and as such the services offered should contribute to peace of mind through awareness seminars; financial advice surgeries; complimentary therapies, such as yoga, physiotherapy and mindfulness. It is also aiming to provide a simple discount scheme for members through a network of companies and service providers. Details will be announced as soon as possible.
Helping tackle stress, and improve well-being A number of Derbyshire officers have already taken part in an introduction to Mindfulness training to help them deal with stress and improve their well-being. Now the trainer – Leon Moore of Heartmind – has organised a further two sessions for members of the Derbyshire Benevolent Trust. One was held at the end of February and a further session will take place in Chesterfield on Thursday 26 March. Each one runs from 6pm to 9pm. They comprise a presentation on the theory behind mindfulness, what it is and how it works in relation to the brain and nervous system of the body based on clinical academic research, followed by some very simple practices from the range of mindfulness based approaches such a qi gong, yoga and meditation. Each participant is given a CD to encourage home practice after the session, with a view to further training and a drop-in group being organised to help facilitate greater uptake and benefit members of the trust.
www. heartmind.org.uk.
About Heartmind Leon first launched Heartmind in 2008 but, due to the economic crisis at that time, had to return to full-time work in the NHS. He then re-started Heartmind in 2012 as a not-for-profit social enterprise offering training in mindfulness and other wellbeing approaches to promote peace and well-being in society. The social enterprise focus was upon delivering affordable quality training and opportunities for well-being practice that did not limit access because of a person’s financial situation. Additionally, having studied various Eastern approaches to health over the past 25 years, Leon also wanted to share the many benefits and wisdom found in these practices, but in an easy to understand, science-based, secular approach that was again accessible to those in mainstream society.
Tel: 0300 122 8533 www.derbyshirebenevolenttrust.com 11
Conference date 19 to 21 May
New Federation vice chairman
Will Riches has been elected vice chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales. Will joined the Metropolitan Police in 1995 and became a Fed rep in 2001 before joining the Constables’ Central Committee in 2009. He put himself forward for the vice chairman role following the resignation of his predecessor Steve Evans in December. He had previously stood for election as national chairman in May last year when Steve White replaced Steve Williams.
A small group of delegates from Derbyshire Police Federation will attend this year’s national Police Federation conference in Bournemouth from 19 to 21 May. Last year the annual conference was dominated by discussions around the findings of Sir David Normington’s independent review of the Police Federation of England and Wales and a hard-hitting and largely critical speech from Home Secretary Theresa May.
“Since conference 2014 there has been some criticism about the slow pace of reform at the Federation’s national centre in Leatherhead so this year’s conference will be a chance for delegates to find out more about progress,” says Mark Pickard, chairman of Derbyshire Police Federation. “It also provides a good opportunity for networking, finding out more about developments in policing generally and listening to police leaders and politicians as they talk about their views on the future of the police service.”
Will has said he is delighted and privileged to take on the new role during a time of ‘unprecedented change’ within the Police Federation. His appointment has been welcomed by the Federation chair who said that while the vice chair role is extremely challenging he was confident Will would support him and work as part of a team to bring about change within the Federation and ensure members stayed at the heart of its work. Will is also chair of the operational policing sub-committee which allows him to be actively involved in representing the views of police officers across England and Wales.
Kathryn Hulmes, 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.
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0845 6347 999 e-mail police-divorce@gorvins.com or visit us at www.gorvins.com/ police-divorce/derbyshirepolice-federation
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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
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‘Victims being let down’ An independent review has found that victims in England and Wales still feel they were being let down by the justice system. Baroness Newlove, the Victims’ Commissioner, has published the review, her first since taking up her new role in 2012.
Helen Newlove has spoken out regularly about the plight of victims of crime after her husband, Gary, was kicked to death by a group of youths outside his Warrington home in 2007. Her report revealed that many victims who voiced concerns about the way they had been treated by the police, the probation service and the courts had felt their views were ignored. The review considered the cases of more than 200 victims who had made a complaint about the way they had been dealt with by various sections of the criminal justice system. Nearly threequarters were unhappy with the response they received and over half found the complaints process difficult to use. Baroness Newlove told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that victims need time, understanding and compassion. “We totally get what Baroness Newlove is saying,” says Mark Pickard, chairman of Derbyshire Police Federation, “Victims should feel that they are well supported by everyone they come into contact with in the criminal justice system.
“I don’t believe for one minute that any officer sets out to deliver a bad service to the victim of any crime or incident of antisocial behaviour. They are doing their best to deliver a first class service to everyone in the communities they serve. “However with a fall in numbers, a lack of funding and no fall in the demand for our services, something has to give. Victims may well be suffering as a result.” The commissioner has delivered a new set of standards which she expects the Government and agencies to adopt when responding to concerns from victims. Police minister Mike Penning has reportedly said the Government had already committed to giving victims legal rights, and strengthening victims’ entitlements through the Victims’ Code , and was reviewing whether new powers are needed “so that they can better hold the system to account”. from victims have led to improvements in services.
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Public protection putting pressure on forces
“The role of the College of Policing is to provide the people who work in policing with the knowledge and the skills they need to protect the public, cut crime and catch criminals.
The report highlights that the number of police officers has fallen by 11 per cent. On a typical day in a typical force there is approximately one officer on duty for every 1,753 people living in the area.
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STATEMENTS ABOUT DEMAND ON POLICING
ming demand Inco
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“The college will continue to build on this early evidence base by working with forces to develop consistent approaches to map demand and to help inform policy decisions.”
The College of Policing sets standards, promotes evidence-based good practice, accredits training providers, supports partnership working and leads on ethics and integrity.
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“The evidence shows that while the number of crimes may have fallen, the level of demand on police resources has not reduced in the same way. The changing mix of crime means that over the past 10 years, investigating and preventing crime has become more complex, and the costs of crime for the police have not fallen as much as overall numbers of crimes. Complex crimes such as child abuse and domestic violence are also understandably taking up more police time.
In some forces, public safety and concern for welfare incidents now represent the largest category of recorded incidents.
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“This work presents a clear picture of what the police are doing on a daily basis in local communities. In every force decisions have to be made about priorities and where to place resources. This analysis will assist in that decision making.
In addition to reacting to calls for service from the public, the police service will also be supporting 2,700 families enrolled in the troubled families programme, supporting approximately 1,600 domestic abuse victims, 1,000 children subject to Child Protection Plans and managing 1,189 sexual and violent offenders in partnership with other local bodies.
The College of Policing analysis indicates there are emerging pressures on police resilience – namely decreased levels of police visibility and increasing requests for mutual aid. It also shows that incidents involving people with mental health issues appear to be increasing.
CO
College of Policing chief executive officer Chief Constable Alex Marshall said:
According to the report, on a typical day, officers in that force will make 50 arrests, deal with 101 anti-social behaviour incidents, respond to approximately 12 missing person reports, carry out 37 stop and searches, deal with nine road traffic collisions and respond to 14 incidents flagged as being linked to mental health issues.
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An increasing amount of police time is being spent protecting the public through managing high-risk offenders or protecting victims who are at risk and often vulnerable, according to a new study published by the College of Policing. The report, Estimating demand on the police service, aims to give the first national picture of the breadth and complexity of the work undertaken by officers with analysis showing the incoming and ongoing work of the police.
LICIN
College of
Policing
On a typical day in a typical force… 1
The population of England and Wales is approximately 57m people and of these
There is approximately one officer on duty for every 1,753 people living in the force area 2 .
127,909 were police officers at March 2014.
Respond to approximately 14 incidents flagged as being associated with people with mental health issues 4 .
In addition to reacting to calls for service from the public, on a typical day the police will also be undertaking proactive work to safeguard the public including:
Attend 9 road traffic collisions where there were casualties and undertake 8 breath tests.
Carry out 37 stop and searches. Of these 16 are drugs related 3 . Of the 37 stop and searches three will result in an arrest.
Officers will make 50 arrests. 1.6 of these arrests will be for sexual offences.
going demand On
MAPPA Managing approximately
Officers will deal with - amongst other crimes - 8 dwelling burglaries, 77 thefts, 11 thefts from a motor vehicle, 3 thefts of a motor vehicle, 36 violent crimes, 1 robbery, 2 sexual assaults, including 1 rape.
1,189 sexual and violent offenders under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements in partnership with other local bodies.
Supporting 2,700 families enrolled in the troubled families programme.
They will issue 9 cautions, 3 Penalty Notices for Disorder and 3 Cannabis Warnings.
Across England and Wales, there is approximately one police officer for every 445 members of the public, an increase of over 50 people per officer since 2010. Officer numbers have fallen by 11% since 2010.
Respond to approximately 12
missing person reports.
Just under 9 will be classified as medium risk, each of which will take an average of 18 hours of police time.
Supporting approximately 1,600 domestic abuse victims being seen at Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences
Approximately 338 999 calls are received.
Supporting 1,000 children and young people subject to a Child Protection Plan.
Approximately 709
Deal with 101 ASB incidents.
incidents are recorded.
Undertaking just under 2
place of safety orders under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act every day.
Different forces experience different levels of demand - more than 50% of all recorded crime occurs in urban, or mostly urban, forces.
As well as dealing with crime, officers will:
Approximately 150
crimes are reported.
1
Typical demand has been estimated based on the total from the force with the median figure for each measure. Where estimates have been calculated per officer they are based on the number of officers in the median force.
2
Using the estimate from the HMIC Policing in Austerity report that 92% of officers will be on the frontline by March 2015 - and dividing by 3 as a proxy for shifts.
3
Each stop and search is estimated to take 15 minutes (a govt. estimate but no source) to complete - that's 555 minutes (or 9.3hrs) per day.
4
Based on estimates from 4 forces that 2% of incidents are associated with people with mental health issues.
11%
Twitter campaign aims to give a true picture of policing Police officers around the country were urged to take to twitter to create a snapshot of what they do every day to help and support local communities. The Police Federation campaign called on officers to give the public an insight into what they do each day – whether dealing with crime or dealing with non-crime issues - using the hashtags
#policing #truepicture.
Steve White, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “British policing is about so much more than just dealing with crime. At the heart of policing is our relationship with our communities, whether it be dealing with missing people, disorder on a high street on a Friday night, licensing enquiries, or providing support and reassurance to someone who has just been injured in a car crash.
“In addition to this many, many hours of police time are spent protecting the public from crime that hasn’t yet happened – counter terrorism and managing sex offenders in the community being two such examples. “We police with the consent of the public to the wishes of the public and what we are hearing loud and clear are two things: the public want local visible policing and police officers want to provide that service. “But they can’t. They are hampered because no matter how much they want to do there simply aren’t enough of them to do it. With fewer officers they are forced to do less.”
PiXXart / Shutterstock.com 15
‘Police cells no place for the mentally ill’
People with mental health issues should no longer be detained in police cells, according to a report by the Home Affairs Select Committee.
The committee says police should make sure they use their powers in relation to mental health to reduce the number of people detained and ease pressure on the police service and NHS. They also said it was a clear failure by the health service for children to be detained in police cells under Section 136 powers and ‘shameful’ that mental health patients were being transported to hospitals by police car. The committee praised a project being trialled in several forces through which mental health nurses were accompanying police officers in patrol cars to provide a street triage service and said these successful schemes should be funded by the Government.
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Keith Vaz MP, chairman of the committee, said: “The prevalence of people with mental health illnesses in the criminal justice system is a scandal. It is unacceptable that the police should be filling the gap because the NHS does not have the facilities to look after mentally ill people.
“The detention of over 6,000 adults under Section136 in police cells in England last year is far too high. These people are not criminals, they are ill and often are experiencing a great deal of trauma. “The detention of children with mental health issues in police cells must cease immediately.” “Last year 236 children were detained in a police cell under Section 136. NHS places must be made available for children locally. “The cost to policing budgets of police officers in custody suites having to deal with mentally ill people is huge. This puts enormous pressure on officers who are not suitably trained and is the starting point for those that are mentally ill to enter the criminal justice system. Many begin a journey which will eventually end in prison.”
The report, Policing and mental health, found:
The Mental Health Act 1983 should be amended so that police cells are no longer stated as a place of safety for those detained under Section 136. Too many NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are failing in their duty to provide enough health-based places of safety that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are adequately staffed. CCGs need to provide more “places of safety” in NHS hospitals so the police are not forced into filling the gap. The fact that children are still detained in police cells under Section 136 reflects a clear failure of commissioning by NHS CCGs. The de facto use of police cells as an alternative relieves the pressure on CCGs to commission appropriate levels of provision for children experiencing a mental health crisis. The NHS needs to make places available to look after such children locally. People encountering a mental health crisis should be transported to hospital in an ambulance if an emergency services vehicle is needed. Transportation in a police car is shameful and in many cases adds to the distress. It enables the patient’s health to be monitored on the way and improves access to healthcare pathways.
Massey’s murmurings – the words of a retired cop
Thou ghts from som e of
our r etire d frie nds
By Pete Massey, a former Fed Rep A couple of weeks ago I ran into Jude Oldham and her partner, Mick. I’ve known both of them for years. It was really nice to see them but anyone who knows Jude will know that she doesn’t beat about the bush and says it how it is. I got some feedback about my previous articles. Apparently, I go on a bit and talk too much about holidays.
As for the holidays, that’s also part of retirement. So I’m off to India at the end of the month.
Maybe I do go on a bit, but the beauty of being retired is that you can. I can have opinions and voice them without any worries of upsetting management. Somebody has to because the way the police service is being trashed by politicians is a crime.
There you go, Jude, I said I would give you a mention. Hope you are all well and safe.
We have a General Election coming up but I don’t think there will be any changes no matter what colour the next Government is. The police service doesn’t have many friends at Westminster.
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Personal pension changes: a new opportunity? For many police officers and their families changes to their pensions will have an impact on their future financial plans. Decisions may need to be made to delay spending or to work for longer than planned, to get a new job at retirement or even to change career. In addition, as the Government champions tax regime changes, this new world of opportunity we are promised simply adds to the conundrum: “What can I do to ensure me and my family are financially comfortable now and in my retirement?” The solutions can be surprisingly straightforward but to achieve financial karma takes some planning and, importantly, there is no time like the present to start. Creating a financial plan now will help you to look into your financial future and take stock of what you need to do. Simple steps like checking the household budget, allocating money on pay day for food, bills, social activities, hobbies and holidays and making sure you have the best deals on mortgages, insurances and utility bills are good practices. Repeating these steps over time will pay off. Re-structuring loans and mortgages should not be overlooked for those who find they barely make ends meet*. This should be done with the aim of freeing up some of your monthly income to be set aside for later life spending. New features of personal pensions which take effect from 6 April this year include being able to access flexible amounts of income as and when you need to from the age of 55. A quarter of your personal pension fund is paid free of tax, with the remainder being taxed at your individual income tax rate.
Many people will view personal pensions now as a method of passing money on to their family free of inheritance tax because the money in a personal pension is in fact held in a form of trust and is not taken into account when someone’s assets are added up for probate purposes after they have died. Overall pension contributions up to £40,000 per year can be made at the moment. Any employer contributions have to be taken into account when looking to maximise pension contributions. For those people fortunate enough to be able to afford to put the maximum into a pension in one year but who still have more to invest they can use their unused contribution allowances for the previous three years. Many people will view personal pensions There’s lots of speculation about future pension changes in the press currently. One thing is for certain, the opportunity to use a personal pension as a long-term tax efficient savings plan alongside other tax efficient plans should not be overlooked. There is an immediate benefit to an individual making a net contribution to a personal pension; this gets grossed up by 20 per cent tax relief and the growth in a pension is tax-free. As an example, a payment into a pension of £3,200 is grossed up to £4,000 by the provider. Higher rate taxpayers an claim further tax relief from HMRC.
Getting the tax benefits of any investment right is great but it’s also very important to make the most of your money once it is saved into your pension. Consider how long you have before you are likely to start to spend this money and your own appetite for risk. A huge range of assets, from shares and bonds to commercial property, is eligible for inclusion in a pension. An independent financial planner working for you can make a significant difference here in choosing how you invest this money. Final salary pensions can sometimes be converted to cash lump sums in a selfinvested personal pension (SIPP). This could be a consideration for the wealthy or those with other sources of retirement income, who would prefer to pass on some of their pension assets to family. Sometimes pension funds are used to finance family owned businesses. Anyone considering this course of action will have to use an appropriately qualified financial adviser.
*Think carefully before securing other debts against your home or property. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The value of investments can fall as well as rise.
Another important feature of the new flexible drawdown contract pension is that the benefits from them, whether in payment or not, are paid tax-free to whoever you choose to leave the money to and however they receive that money (lump sum or income) if you should die before the age of 75. It is important to tell your pension provider who should receive your pension when you are no longer alive and a simple form providing their details is all that is required to do this, even if you haven’t got round to making a will.
If you would like to discuss your situation and opportunities to invest money in tax effective ways with a professional independent financial adviser from Prosperity Wealth (in complete confidence) please ask Sue Ferguson to book you into the next Financial Planning Day at the Federation’s office. Prosperity Wealth is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. www.prosperitywealth.com
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