The CoM Brief - July 2024

THE VOICE OF GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

CITY OF MANCHESTER · JULY 2024

PROTECTING HIGH RISK VICTIMS IN THE CITY OF MANCHESTER

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This edition of the district Brief focuses on wellbeing.

It is important to take care of our physical and mental health so that we can flourish in life as well at work: somewhere we spend a great deal of our time.

Districts are offering colleagues various resources and facilities to help us care for our wellbeing, such as sports and social club (S&S) equipment to borrow, gyms, activity days, wellbeing rooms, tuck shops and more.

Please, take advantage of these, they are there for you whether you may need to take a breather, share your stresses, get some exercise or simply connect with others in a suitable environment.

Designated wellbeing single points of contact (SPOCs) are assigned in each district to assist you with anything wellbeingrelated, to ensure you have the support you need to feel happy, balanced, safe and valued in your working environment.

GMP’s goal is to create a positive and inclusive workplace environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

The force recognises that policing is both a rewarding and challenging career and, as such, has developed a wealth of resources, internal and external support, and access to a range of toolkits to help you prioritise selfcare, manage stress, and foster a healthy work-life balance.

You can find more information regarding our support networks, informal support groups and wellbeing volunteering initiatives by speaking to your dedicated wellbeing SPOC or via the intranet. Use these resources and ensure you are prioritising your wellbeing as well as knowing who to reach out to when you may need support.

In this edition, we want to celebrate our colleagues who are supporting each other’s wellbeing as well as looking after the wellbeing of the people who live and work in our local communities.

Thank you.

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Protecting high risk victims at CoM North The Domestic Abuse team (DAT) was launched in October 2022. Its focus is to protect and safeguard high risk victims of domestic violence incidents.

The team offers alternative routes to support the victims, such as housing support and children’s schooling. DAT also works alongside independent domestic violence advisors, known as IDVAs, who will offer an extra layer of supporting the victims and offer muchneeded support.

CoM North and South are the only current districts to be operating a Domestic Abuse Team. However, there will be a forcewide rollout in November with the introduction of the District Operating Model, which will see the implementation of a DAT into all districts across Greater Manchester.

The CoM North DAT is currently formed of two sergeants and 16 police constables, although until very recently there were only 10 PCs. Even with a small team, the DAT has contributed to the noticeable improvement of DA cautions since its launch.

• What other opportunities does the team offer?

“The DAT is known to be a stepping zone for officers who want to become detectives, as it provides excellent learning opportunities. Officers in our team deal with general and complex crimes (PIP 1 and 2) and learn high standards, during their employment with us.

The team has also received very positive feedback among the district for providing fantastic opportunities for student officers, investigation, and response teams. It is described as an ideal place to learn the basics of file management and crime investigations among others.”

• What does an average day look like for you?

“Some of our tasks include going out to speak to victims, investigate CCTV and other potential evidence (for cases where victims aren’t supporting), interview suspects, check with partner agencies ongoing referrals and many others.”

• Has there been any visible results?

“Overall, CoM North solved outcomes for DA over past 12 months has been 9.9% on average, with the force target

equalling 15%. However, our results are improving every week as we speak, with a total of 12.8% of CoM North solved outcome DAs on the week commencing 25 June.

“As for charges, there has been a total of 403 prisoners in custody since the team was launched. And 186 more individuals have been charged for over 400 offences. Additionally, the victims of DA have seen a massive increase in the support that is offered to them during the process, which is widely appreciated.

“The CoM North district also executes the highest amount of Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO), which protect the victims of DA from their perpetrators for 28 days should there not be enough evidence to arrest the perpetrators. This gives enough time for the victim to get referred to partner agencies, access support, and apply for a non-molestation order.

The key to success has been the implementation of the new DA pathway via the civil court to execute DVPOs, which was first introduced in January 2024.

This new pathway ensures high risk DA cases are dealt with within seven days from the moment of the offence, which has improved outcomes. The team has demonstrated a spotless efficiency when applying DVPOs within the seven-day period.”

• What is the most rewarding thing about this post?

“The most rewarding parts of the role is making a difference to the lives of the victims. Our division has some of the most deprived areas in the country, with a high number of domestic abuse incidents. A lot of our victims have shared with us that they feel like they were forgotten, and nothing could be done, which is why they never reported incidents previously. Our intervention is vital in changing their perspective and lives, and our victims have shown to be very thankful for what we do.”

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Meet GMP’s Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Unit

Police negotiators are highly trained specialist communicators who can be deployed to save life, reduce the threat to life or implement a communications tactic. Negotiators are also trained to undertake discreet and/or covert interactions if required.

The use of a negotiator can be a valuable resource in a variety of situations: they will focus on the negotiation and communication aspects of an incident and provide assessments that support an incident commander’s decision-making and development of other tactical options. Negotiators can also be deployed remotely through telephone or instant messaging services, such as text, email, or social media.

The team provides the organisation with a 24/7/365 response to ensure that any threat to life is dealt with in accordance with national guidelines.

Incidents may include: • Suicide intervention – where an individual is threatening self-harm.

• Missing persons – high-risk and/or vulnerable missing persons.

• Person in crisis or domestic siege – a spontaneous incident where a person is detained against their will. People in these circumstances

are often in crisis and/or under the influence of a substance which has affected their ability to respond in a rational or logical manner.

• Firearm operations – supporting operations such as the execution of a search warrant where firearms are known to be held, or where there is a threat of violence. The negotiator can encourage the suspect to allow peaceful, rather than forced, entry.

• Criminal sieges – including, for example, where a bank robbery is interrupted by the arrival of the police and where members of the public are being held by the offenders.

• Counter-terrorism incidents and investigations – the team has several specialist counter-terrorism (CT) negotiators to support CT policing operations.

The GMP Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Unit (HCNU) currently has an establishment of 30 trained negotiators, headed by force lead DCI Paddy Goodrich, deputy force lead Insp John Ormerod, and DS Craig Morgan, a full-time negotiator based in the Serious Crime Division. The team reports to the GMP strategic lead for negotiation, ACC Matt Boyle.

Hostage negotiators perform a demanding, specialised role in addition to their respective core duties within the organisation. The role requires dedication and commitment from each team member to maintain accreditation by deploying to incidents and attending CPD events and exercises.

It is important that each negotiator is always ready to perform at the best of their abilities so that they are prepared to deal with complex, often rapidly evolving situations at short notice and potentially save lives. It is often the case that extra support is needed, due to multiple ongoing incidents or complex sieges or investigations.

The GMP negotiator team is made

up from officers from across all districts and branches. The role is not rankspecific; in line with national guidance, GMP has opened the role to constables, with several PCs already passing the demanding initial two-week national negotiators’ course.

The team provides a negotiator coordinator and two negotiators on call every hour of every day, and aims to be at the scene of the incident within 45 minutes of receiving the initial request from the force duty officer.

Prior to negotiator attendance it is often the initial first responders who deal with a person in crisis using their communication skills, caring demeanour and professionalism to try to bring them to a position of safety.

As a result of national and forcecentred organisational learning, GMP deputy lead Insp John Ormerod has worked with the National Negotiation Group to develop a national ‘Dealing with Persons in Crisis’ guidance document.

This guidance document, and the associated learning package, have been distributed to all first responders in the police, fire and rescue service and ambulance service and is designed to aid first responders when dealing with person in crisis incidents.

It is important that GMP officers and supervisors make themselves aware of the contents of this guidance document. GMP will be the lead agency for many of these incidents and GMP supervisors will be expected to have effective command and control whilst working with other key JESIP partners.

To assist officers, the JESIP app has now been updated to include a ‘Persons in Crisis’ tab which details the key aspects of the guidance document.

When a negotiator coordinator provides advice to the officer or supervisor at the scene, they will highlight the content of the app.

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Child protection at GMP Child protection is one of the most important aspects of what we do at GMP. It is not just a specialist role; protecting children and young people is everyone’s responsibility.

At GMP we aim to practise trauma-informed, professionally curious policing, safeguarding vulnerable children and young people and disrupting the harmful and criminal behaviours of offenders who target them.

National Child Protection Inspection Greater Manchester Police is gearing up for a comprehensive inspection of its child protection practices by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

The national child protection inspection (NCPI) is set to begin on 22 July 2024 and will run for three weeks, concluding on 9 August 2024.

The inspection process will involve multiple phases: • Case audits: GMP has submitted dip samples of cases to provide evidence of how we address child protection issues.

• Document submission: policies and procedures related to child protection will be reviewed.

• On-site visits: inspectors will conduct interviews and focus groups with staff at all levels, from chief officers to frontline constables in all districts and in numerous departments. They will also observe meetings and review performance data.

Every member of GMP has a role to play in showcasing our commitment to protecting vulnerable children. Here’s how you can contribute: • Be prepared: familiarise yourself with GMP’s child protection policies and procedures. Understand your role in safeguarding children, regardless of your primary duties.

• Showcase good work: don’t be afraid to highlight the positive impact you have made in child protection cases. Share examples of effective partnership working and innovative approaches.

• Embrace continuous improvement: as a forward-thinking force, we are always looking for ways to enhance our practices. If you are asked about challenges, share our ongoing initiatives and areas where we’re actively working to improve. This approach demonstrates our commitment to learning and development, helping HMICFRS understand our dedication to excellence in child protection.

• Engage with inspectors: if you are selected for an interview or focus group, approach it as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment. Be open, honest, and professional in your interactions.

• Maintain business as usual: the best way to impress inspectors is by demonstrating our day-to-day commitment to protecting children. Continue to prioritise child protection in your daily work.

In addition to the standard NCPI process, GMP will undergo a thematic inspection on CSE and CCE. This additional scrutiny reflects the importance of these issues both nationally and locally.

Professional curiosity and the voice of the child Professional curiosity refers to the communication skills needed to explore and understand what is happening for a person, rather than making assumptions or accepting things at face value.

It requires skills of looking, listening, asking direct questions and being able to hold difficult conversations.

When we speak about the voice of the child, we don’t just

mean when a child says or the tone with which they say it.

The voice of the child encompasses all aspects of engaging meaningfully with a child: what they say; what they don’t say; how they look and behave; the environment in which they live – all of this builds a picture of the child’s experience.

Appropriate language The language that we use to describe the exploitation of children is important. It is never appropriate to use language about children and young people who have been commercially or sexually exploited, or those who are at risk of exploitation, which victim-blames, dehumanises, adultifies or normalises traumatic experiences.

It’s inappropriate to describe an exploited child as ‘streetwise’ or ‘seeking attention’. It’s unfair to say a child is ‘putting themselves at risk’, that they are ‘drug running’ or ‘recruiting’, or that they should ‘take responsibility for their behaviour’. It is cruel to say that a child is ‘promiscuous’ or ‘prostituting themselves’.

Young people who are in abusive or coercive situations are not in charge of what is happening to them. The responsibility lies with the adults who are exploiting them. No matter how challenging or uncooperative a child victim is, they are still a child; and it is our responsibility to protect them.

Speaking to children and young adults There are no formal qualifications or training needed to speak with a child or young person.

There is no legal requirement for a parent, carer or other adult to give consent for a police officer to speak to a child to establish the child’s welfare, or to be present when they do so.

When you speak with a child or young person who is at risk or has been exploited, consider how you want to make them feel.

We don’t want to give exploited children the impression that they are in trouble or that we not on their side – we want them to feel that they can trust us and engage with the process.

Sometimes, children who are being exploited can be challenging or reluctant to engage. They may be hostile to the police as a whole, either due to negative experiences in the past or because they have been taught by their exploiters to see us as the enemy. They feel it is ‘too late’ for them or that exploitation is their only option. This behaviour is normal, and while it may be difficult in the moment, it is important to be kind and persevere. Children who are exploited are victims of crime, and it is our responsibility to protect them.

Resources If child protection isn’t your specialism, or if you need advice or a second opinion, there are places you can go for help: • Children’s Crime Allocation Triage sergeants are based in each of the DITs. • In cases of online abuse, contact a digital media investigator.

• If a child or young person has gone missing, speak to a Missing From Home officer.

• For issues around partnership liaison, contact your local MultiAgency Safeguarding and Support Hub (the MASSH).

• The child protection hub on the intranet holds all the news, resources and advice you may need.

Scan here to visit the GMP child protection hub.

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GMP bolsters child protection as inspection approaches Greater Manchester Police is reinforcing its commitment to child protection with the appointment of Det Supt Alex Bacon as the new Force Lead for Child Protection and Missing, just as the force prepares for a comprehensive inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Det Supt Bacon joins GMP from West Yorkshire Police, bringing a wealth of experience in child protection and safeguarding roles at every rank. His arrival coincides with the upcoming national child protection inspection (NCPI), set to begin at GMP on 22 July 2024.

“Child protection has always been my passion,” says Det Supt Bacon. “I’m humbled to take on this role at such a crucial time for GMP. The fact that we have two superintendents focused on child protection and child-centred policing demonstrates how seriously the force takes this responsibility.”

The NCPI, which will run for three weeks, marks the first comprehensive examination of GMP’s child protection procedures in over a decade. It will be accompanied by an additional thematic inspection focusing on child sexual exploitation (CSE) and child criminal exploitation (CCE).

Det Supt Bacon sees the inspection as an opportunity to showcase GMP’s progress and identify areas for improvement.

“We’ve changed incredibly to address concerns, particularly with our complex safeguarding teams,” he notes. “They’re held up as national good practice, and we should be proud of the partnership working we’ve established.”

The inspection will scrutinise every aspect of GMP’s approach to child protection, from initial contact through to investigation and outcomes for children. HMICFRS inspectors will assess the force against five key criteria: leadership, partnership working, initial response, risk assessment and referral, and investigations.

All GMP staff have a role to play in demonstrating the force’s commitment to safeguarding. Det Supt Bacon emphasises, “This isn’t just about specialists. No matter what role you have, you’re part of our overall child protection approach.”

Staff can prepare by familiarising themselves with GMP’s child protection policies, being ready to showcase good work, and engaging openly with inspectors if selected for interviews or focus groups.

Looking ahead, Det Supt Bacon identifies increasing demand as one of the biggest challenges in child protection nationally. “We’re becoming more aware of the risks to children, particularly online and extra-familial abuse,” he explains.

“Families are often unaware of these dangers.”

To address these challenges, Det Supt Bacon aims to develop GMP’s approach to the implementation of the new Working Together 2023 statutory guidance on child protection.

This involves engaging with GMP’s 10 local authorities to ensure consistent levels of child protection services across the region.

The NCPI results, expected to be published several months after the inspection, will play a crucial role in shaping GMP’s future approach to child protection. Det Supt Bacon sees this as the beginning of a long-term journey. “I’m not just here for the inspection,” he says. “This is an opportunity to fast-track improvements and set the stage for ongoing enhancements to

our child protection practices.”

As GMP faces this pivotal moment, the force remains committed to its core mission of protecting vulnerable children across Greater Manchester. With new leadership and a focus on continuous improvement, GMP is poised to meet the challenges ahead and ensure the safety of the region’s most vulnerable residents.

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Following the trial success of the Mini Police scheme in Wigan over the past year, GMP will begin expanding the project to all districts from September 2024 – the Mini Police even have their own crest, created by GMP Design Studio Manager Jay Ashworth, marking their official status at GMP. To mark the forcewide launch, Chief Constable Stephen Watson and ACC Matt Boyle invited the Mini Police to Force Headquarters, alongside their teachers, school governors and the officers in charge of running the pilot in Wigan.

Alongside the Chief and ACC Boyle, representatives from all districts were in attendance to watch a presentation from the Mini Police about the fun, educational activities they have been a part of throughout the project, including a speed awareness operation; knife crime activity; first aid session; Remembrance Day parade; CCTV operation; hate crime talk; a visit to the Police Museum; and a visit from the NPAS helicopter. Teachers, officers and school heads spoke about the profound impact being engaged in the scheme has on the children, schools and communities involved.

Q&A with the Chief Following their presentation, the children took the rare opportunity to quiz the Chief about his role: What made you want to be a police officer?

“It’s a really worthwhile job; you get to help the community and keep people safe, but you also get to ‘get the bad guys’ – we all want to do that, don’t we?”

Do you remember your first day?

“It was a really miserable rainy day in Nelson, I felt really proud with my big hat on and I still to this day remember the first member of the public I spoke to, even if I did get soaked wet through.”

What’s been your favourite thing about being a Chief Constable?

“It’s great to lead such a large organisation; I enjoy watching

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things come together and seeing the force succeed. Our main job is to protect the public, and I think by being the Chief I get a good chance at making a difference to people’s lives. One of the greatest feelings is when we are able to redirect money recovered from criminals to projects in the community that help and support those in need to reach their potential – it feels like God’s work.”

Have you ever been undercover?

“When I was a young officer I did apply to be a covert officer, but as soon as I walked in the room – before I even had a chance to sit down – the interviewer shouted ‘no, get out, you look too much like an officer for this role’! So I carried on my career in uniform.”

What has been your proudest moment?

“For me personally, my proudest moment was when I went to Buckingham Palace to receive my Queen’s Police Medal, it was fantastic to meet Queen Elizabeth and get to see such a spectacular palace along with my family. Professionally, I’m very proud of our officers, staff and volunteers for the work they do day in, day out to protect our communities.”

The Chief finished by explaining the importance of the Mini Police Officers’ role within their schools and communities and how important it is to use their influence positively and to keep making a difference.

Q&A with the Mini Police Representatives from each district took their chance to ask the mini officers what it’s like being part of the scheme: What made you want to be part of the Mini Police?

“I wanted to help the community be a safer place.”

“To have fun and learn about safety.”

“My mum works as a special officer and I wanted to help other people change their attitude towards the police.”

Has it changed your opinion of the police?

“I’m confident in saying hello to officers I see, and I now know the

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police do so much more than just arrest people.”

What do the rest of the school think about you all now you’re a part of GMP’s Mini Police?

“They think we’re braver, they’re jealous they’ve not been included.”

“They love hearing what we’ve been up to.”

“People treat me differently now, they come to me more for help.”

Do you want to join the police when you’re older?

“I’d like to be a footballer, but if that doesn’t work out then yes.”

The mini officers were also able to quiz Director of IT and Digital, ACO Dougie Henderson: Do you ever get bored of tech?

“No – I don’t know if you can tell but I’m a bit of a geek, I love tech. I’m always thinking ‘what’s next’ and ‘what can we do to help everyone’. It never gets boring. We never stand still, tech is always evolving. We’re always looking to find solutions to help make the organisation better and more efficient.”

What is GMP’s main use of tech?

“At GMP we use a wealth of tech in everything that we do. Our staff and officers have laptops that they use to do their work, with communication apps like Outlook and Microsoft Teams being heavily used to connect the force. There are some more operational things like the Police National Computer (PNC) and Command and Control that officers use to find information about suspects and criminals and then we have things like Axon body-worn video that officers wear, allowing interactions with the public to be recorded. The latest update enables the video to be livestreamed, which is a huge benefit.”

Activity After lunch, the Mini Police took charge of an activity in the Silver Command Suite, where Insp Jim Corrigan explained he

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had received a report of suspects acting suspiciously nearby.

The children utilised their communication skills by shouting up a description of the suspects on the radio to PC Barrie Lamb, who logged the description and sent officers to the scene.

Throughout the activity, the mini officers saw firsthand how the control room utilises technology to keep officers safe and aid investigations. A great example of this was the new AXON livestream facility, which enabled them to see the officer speaking to the suspect in real time, confirm they had the correct person and check that the police officer was safe.

Once the suspect was safely apprehended, the children came down to the car park to learn he was actually an undercover officer and the cars in the carpark were safe from harm.

ACC Matt Boyle commented: “The Mini Police scheme will be rolled out forcewide this coming school year with the aim of increasing community trust and engagement. The trial in Wigan has been a huge success and I’ve heard nothing but fantastic feedback from both the schools and the community, praising the officers and children involved.

“To make the scheme a continued success in each district we will be delivering the scheme through our neighbourhood policing teams, who will be identifying appropriate schools, working with teachers and governors, selecting and attesting our Mini Police across Greater Manchester.

“The longstanding impact this will have on the children and communities involved cannot be underestimated. By showcasing the work we do through engaging experiences for children at an early stage, we are building trust and embedding long-term positive relationships with policing. In turn, the Mini Police are directly influencing their peers both to engage in healthy behaviours and to view the police as a positive presence within the community.”

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In the final week of June, GMP celebrated its response policing teams as part of a national week of action.

National Response Policing Week of Action, which ran from 24 to 30 June, saw the force highlight the hard work, dedication and professionalism of its response officers, staff and volunteers as well as those who contribute to the response service.

There are more than 1,600 response officers in GMP, including 1,392 frontline PCs; each serving different areas across the region and responding to reports of all natures, from burglaries and robberies to fights and traffic collisions. Response teams will often be the first to attend an incident to assess the immediate risk of harm, initiate an investigation, and provide a reassuring visible police presence for the public.

Our force control room receives almost 600,000 999 calls a year (1,600 a day), which are answered in around four seconds on average. In the past year, we responded to 135,726 Grade 1 incidents (calls that needed an

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immediate response) across the Greater Manchester area – this is around 370 a day – with an average response time of nine minutes and 34 seconds on average, well inside the expected national average of 15 minutes.

ACC Matt Boyle, head of local policing at GMP, said: “Our response officers play a vital role in keeping the public of Greater Manchester safe every day of the year around the clock.

“Almost every officer starts on response; there is no doubt it’s one of the toughest, but also most rewarding, roles in policing. They will usually be the first officers on the scene of an ongoing incident and will often be the first person the public sees, so it is vital they are trained to the highest standards and have the latest kit and equipment – this will include vital life-saving training and the highest driving skills.

“We have invested £6 million in new uniforms for frontline officers, as well as upgrading their tasers and bodyworn video cameras. We are constantly reviewing the challenges our officers face and looking to see how we can

support them further, as well as raising awareness of the support services that are available and making sure they have the latest, most up-to-date equipment and technology.

“Response policing is the bedrock of every police force across the country.

When the public call us, often in one of the worst moments of their lives, they rightly expect us to arrive quickly, act professionally, and protect them.

This type of work can be extremely challenging, which is why there is also a focus on officers’ wellbeing this week.”

A key point of focus for the week was the importance of robust wellbeing support measures for response teams, promoting awareness of the wellbeing and resilience support services provided throughout the year by our occupational health unit, with access to a range of initiatives from the force and Health Assured, the force’s provider of counselling and wellbeing support.

Response teams across Greater Manchester were also visited by a Salvation Army wellbeing van, serving hot dogs, tea, coffee and chocolate.

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Bury PC Christopher Corlett has been named Greater Manchester Police Response Officer of the Year.

Throughout the year, he has led by example with his ‘relentless work’ and arrest rate. In the past year, PC Corlett has made 56 arrests, with more than half resulting in a charge or resolution.

He also carried out dozens of stopsearches, with around 50% having a positive outcome.

PC Corlett, who began his career as a PCSO and has been with GMP for almost 12 years, said: “I was surprised but delighted to have won the award – it’s great to have the support and backing of your team leaders.

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“I love the variety of the job and the team dynamic we have; I am a proactive officer and love going out to arrest people and stopping vehicles. Because I am taser trained, I am often sent to the tougher, more exciting jobs.”

Supt Chris Hill, district commander for Bury, said: “It is rare that officers receive praise for the relentless work they undertake, but PC Corlett’s nomination was an immediate and unanimous decision. He’s a huge asset to policing and we could not think of anybody more deserving to receive this award.

“Throughout the entirety of his police service within GMP, PC Corlett

has served tirelessly as part of the frontline response team. He is often heavily relied on when developing his less experienced colleagues’ skills and improving their confidence when dealing with live incidents, offenders and members of the public.

“He has always worked diligently and been an impeccable example to all his colleagues and has continually delivered the highest standard of service to the Bury community via his proactive attitude to policing.”

PC Corlett will now be put forward for the National Police Chiefs’ Council Response Officer of the Year awards, taking place later this year.

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Wellbeing at GMP The Ben Fund A new process for accessing physiotherapy support at St Michael’s Lodge is now in place, and members of the Ben Fund (which is only eligible for officers) are no longer able to apply for residential physio treatment directly.

All applications for physio support will now go through outpatient services, which can be completed at St Michael’s Lodge, situated in Ribble Valley, or at Progress House in Stockport.

During the initial assessment, the physiotherapist will decide if the individual would benefit from an inpatient stay and progress if appropriate.

For more information on The Ben Fund, including forms to apply for treatment, please visit their website: www.thebenfund. co.uk.

Wellbeing recruitment drive We are actively recruiting new volunteers across the wellbeing network!

You can get involved in wellbeing through a wide range of roles and responsibilities. You will be given training, continuous support, regular supervision, an annual appreciation event, a yearly continuous professional development (CPD) day with other volunteers, and the opportunity to link in with like-minded people.

You can put in expressions of interest for the following: • Peer Supporter: use your own experiences of mental ill health to support others • Wellbeing Resilience Coach: support colleagues on whole range of issues affecting their wellbeing • Grief First Aiders: support others going through a difficult time • Welfare Peer: support colleagues under investigation • Peer Champion: receive training in delivering wellbeing inputs to students, apprentices, teams within your place of work You can find more information on any of these roles on the intranet by navigating to Home > Wellbeing > Internal Support > Peer support volunteer networks.

If you have any questions about wellbeing in your district or branch, or would like to join your district or branch wellbeing committee, contact your wellbeing SPOC – you can find a list of SPOCs on the ‘Peer support volunteer networks’ page.

You can learn more about our informal support groups via Home > Wellbeing > Internal support > Informal peer support groups.

Wellbeing on tour This year saw the GMP Wellbeing team undertake its fourth roadshow around GMP to showcase the array of internal and external support available to all our colleagues.

In another record, 1,124 individuals engaged in conversation about their wellbeing and signposting support services. The team would like to thank every person who was involved, from the Business Support Services teams and SPOCs who helped with the coordination and promotion, to Oscar Kilo for allowing the use of their van and our drivers for moving the van to each location, to each and every single person who took some time to come and talk with us.

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We would also like to thank all our partners, internal and external, who took the time to support us.

The Wellbeing team was joined by: • Costco • Dad Matters • Grief First Aiders • GSN • Health Assured • Menopause Ambassadors • No1 Copper Pot • Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service • PMAS • Police Care • Police Treatment Centre • Public Health Collaboration • Samaritans • TRiM • Unison For more information please contact the team at WellbeingVolunteerCoordinators@gmp.police.uk

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The district’s Sports and Social offering It has been proven that businesses that truly champion mental health and staff wellbeing not only will be able to attract and retain talent, but will also get the best out of people, which will benefit both individuals and the organisation.

In relation to this, promoting and supporting staff wellbeing is at the heart of GMP’s purpose, with initiatives such as access to clinicians at our occupational health unit, and wellbeing support networks which include a wellbeing resilience coach (WRC) and peer supporters (PSN).

One of the initiatives operating across all districts is the GMP’s Sports and Social Club. As members of the GMP family, all employees have the chance to join their divisional club for a small nominal monthly fee.

Membershipenables users to take advantage of a range of activities, join GMP sports sections and access their divisional gym.

The club in the CoM district (North, Central and South) is led

by Rachel Devalle, who has been overseeing the program in the City of Manchester for the last four years. She works alongside Kez Smith on the project. Every month, a newsletter is sent to the current members with information about the

latest activities and offers that the members can use to unwind after the daily demands of policing.

The main aim of these offers and advantages is to have positive impact on wellbeing and mental health. They are of a varied nature, which include (but not limited to): Days out (discounted theatre and cinema tickets, outdoor activities) Taster experiences Health and beauty treatments (sports therapy) Help with your home (renovation services, mortgage advisors) Furthermore, caterers travel across the three main locations, Central Park (Divisional HQs), Longsight and West Didsbury, once a month and offer the club members delicious meals such as Italian pasta or ice cream free of charge of members of the social club.

Monthly raffles are carried out where members can win a selection of prizes such as M&S vouchers, cinema vouchers or cash among others. Members automatically enter the monthly raffles when joining the club.

The club has been widely praised by its members, who send positive feedback regularly to Rachel and Kez. One member expressed “a massive thank you for all the thought, effort and time you are putting into the Sports and Social:

it is making a huge difference.” A second shared “sincere thanks for all the hard work you put into the sports and social for us”.

Rachel and Kez have also been nominated for a random act of kindness. The colleague who sent the nomination commented on how Rachel and Kez “go out of their way to make a day at work just a little bit better. They organise events get us all discounts and make sure that our gym is in tip top condition. Thank you, Rachel and Kez, for just being two awesome peeps!”.

Should you be interested in joining the club in the CoM district, you can contact collyhurstsportsandsocial@ gmp.police.uk.

12 THE BRIEF

JULY 2024

Corporate Communications branch: Meet the Awards and Recognition team The Corporate Communications branch is the bridge between the force, its employees and the public. Our main goal is to support operational policing and to enhance public confidence.

The Awards and Recognition team is a dedicated team whose mission is to shine a spotlight on the exceptional work and achievements of staff and officers. Our team consists of the awards and recognition coordinator and an awards officer. We also currently have an events apprentice who is supporting us and we all work together to make sure deserving people are recognised for their hard work.

Our team takes pride in boosting morale and we are responsible for

organising various events within GMP. These include the Chief Constable’s annual awards ceremony, officer attestations, the force Christmas concert and the remembrance service.

One of the key aspects of the team is organising and curating the long service awards, which are put on throughout the year and are an opportunity for staff and officers to be recognised for their time in the force. Officers receive medals for their service, and badges were recently introduced for staff to ensure they also have a memento to acknowledge their commitment and service to the force.

One of the core values of the Awards and Recognition team is to encourage appreciation and acknowledgment

within Greater Manchester Police.

The team actively urges colleagues to nominate individuals who consistently go above and beyond their duties, achieve remarkable milestones or demonstrate bravery. They have also been encouraging and supporting branches and districts to organise their own ceremonies to highlight good work, to bring people together and to celebrate everyone’s achievements.

To nominate someone for recognition, simply fill out a nomination form and help brighten someone’s day. To fill out a form contact Award and Recognition Co-ordinator Wendy Docker (ext: 65955) or Awards Officer Joanne Bradley (ext: 62222) or email us at awards.team@gmp.police.uk.