The Brief - September 2024

THE VOICE OF GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

ISSUE 39 · SEPTEMBER 2024

Right Care, Right Person is coming

Initiative will launch Monday 30 September

2 THE BRIEF

Policing Pride Over the August bank holiday weekend (Friday 23 to Monday 26 August), Manchester hosted its annual Pride celebrations in a four-day festival centred in and around Canal Street, with additional fringe events at locations across the city. Events included live music performances, a dog show, youth and family-centred events, a candlelit vigil and the annual parade.

Over the last 20 years, GMP has built a history of supporting and engaging positively with Pride events; and while the force did not actively participate in the parade this year, GMP officers were actively involved in the policing operation throughout the event to help ensure the weekend could run smoothly and safely for all participants and attendees. Policing the event – one of the country’s largest LGBTQ+ pride festivals, held over a busy bank holiday weekend – was focused on upholding public safety and managing the increased activity.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategic lead Supt Mike Russell said: “GMP takes great pride in serving and being represented by individuals from every community in Greater Manchester, including the LGBTQ+ community. We are proud to have a longstanding relationship with Manchester Pride, and we have been working closely with them again this year to ensure we can positively support the event and welcome thousands of people to our friendly and inclusive city safely.

“Pride weekend is a weekend of celebration, education, and embracing diversity, and our officers are here to ensure everyone has a great time. This event is a chance to showcase to the communities of Greater Manchester, and our own staff who identify as LGBTQ+, or have family members who are LGBTQ+, that our force supports a culture where everyone feels included and that exclusion will not be tolerated.”

Pride at GMP The GMP Pride Network provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ employees within GMP. It offers support, advocacy, and resources to help promote equality and diversity within the force, while also working to strengthen relationships between GMP and the LGBTQ+ community.

If you’d like to learn more or join the GMP Pride Network, you can contact GMP.PrideNetwork@gmp.police.uk or visit their intranet page via Home > Wellbeing > Staff Support Networks > GMP Pride Network.

SEPTEMBER 2024

3 THE BRIEF

Unexpected death attendance

SEPTEMBER 2024

The way GMP reports sudden and unexpected deaths has changed.

What does this mean for GMP? The new initiative means that, as a matter of course, GMP will no longer attend community deaths which appear to be due to natural causes and which would previously be reported to a coroner. Removing the responsibility for attending apparently natural deaths is expected to lead to a significant saving of officer hours.

New deployment criteria To embed the new processes, GMP has outlined deaths that police will still attend under a red, amber, green (RAG) escalation process.

• If the dispatch inspector determines that a GMP deployment is required for further clarification of the circumstances, but that the case does not require escalation to amber or green, then a resource will be deployed to assess the case.

• If, following the on-scene review, it is determined that the death is more likely natural and no escalation to a different RAG category is warranted, the death will be referred back to NWAS or the attending medical practitioner and no further action is required by GMP. • If, following officers’ attendance, there is no RAG escalation required but it is believed the death should be reported to the coroner, the rationale will be recorded on the incident log; a death report, identification and GMP ID bracelet will be required. Under these circumstances, GMP will have responsibility for the removal of the deceased, using the coroner’s contracted funeral directors via FCCO or VRS to the public mortuary. The log will be closed as G10.

Amber – in these cases, the scene should be secured and attended by a suitably experienced detective and a PCO (during core hours) to assess the situation.

Once a detective has attended, they are responsible for ensuring an update explaining their investigative assessment and decision is provided via email and forwarded to the relevant PCO hub. The duty detective inspector must be made aware of the incident log and should have oversight and be updated regarding decisions and outcome. A death report is required, and removal will be via contracted funeral directors to the local public mortuary.

Red – if a death is identified as falling into the red category, the scene should be immediately secured and a log commenced.

The duty detective inspector must attend the scene, and during PCO core hours a PCO must also attend.

The red category incorporates deaths which would previously have been referred to as special procedure investigations (SPI). In these cases, the detective inspector can identify and deploy a detective sergeant who is fully trained and accredited to attend, although the detective inspector will maintain an overview and be the ultimate decision-maker. In all such cases a death report and – where relevant – a document of the handover between the detective inspector and the detective sergeant must be forwarded to the relevant PCO hub. Removal will be via contracted funeral directors to the local public mortuary.

The RAG categories Green – when a death falls under this category, the information will be reviewed by the on-duty dispatch inspector, who will determine whether a police response is required to further assess the circumstances surrounding the death.

• If the information reported indicates that a GMP response is not required, the rationale will be documented on the log and referred to NWAS or the attending medical practitioner.

Where to get help If you are unsure of how to categorise a death, or if you have any other queries, you can speak to someone at your nearest police coroner’s hub between 7am and 8pm. After 8pm, advice can be obtained from the on-cover detective superintendent.

For the first three months a police coroner’s officer (PCO) will be attached to the operational communications room to provide advice, training and feedback.

4 THE BRIEF

SEPTEMBER 2024

Virtual policing at GMP GMP is excited to announce the launch of the Virtual Response and Investigations (VRI) initiative, a groundbreaking step into the future of policing.

The initiative, which is set to be introduced across the force on a staggered basis, will revolutionise GMP’s efficiency in locating missing and vulnerable people, attending domestic abuse cases, and conducting routine checks by using functionalities such as live video streaming. Further capabilities also include multilingual messaging, automated transcriptions and real-time incident assessment.

Head of Force Contact and Operations Martine Craven, who is overseeing the initial launch, said: “This is an exciting time for GMP as we focus on adopting a more streamlined digital approach within the FCCO and across the force, doing more at first point of contact to alleviate the demand placed on frontline policing wherever possible whilst ensuring that the public of Greater Manchester continue to receive an excellent and improved service.”

GoodSAM To make this transition into the virtual policing world, GMP will be utilising the emergency and tasking platform GoodSAM, a well-recognised product currently used around the country by police forces and emergency services which have already successfully adopted elements of virtual policing into their daily operations.

Business Change Manager Ch Insp Shoheb Chowdhury said: “Integrating virtual policing into everyday operations will take time, but the benefits will be substantial for victims of certain crimes and will save officers and staff significant time. This time can be used to redeploy our resources to attend other critical situations, solve more crimes and protect the public. As with every new policing initiative, GMP needs to trial its capabilities with suitable teams.

“Purchased licences will support three initial programmes aimed at refining GMP’s response to investigations, domestic abuse and missing persons cases.

“Once these introductory phases are successfully completed and we understand what virtual policing looks like at GMP, we plan to expand the tried and tested virtual capabilities across the entire force in spring 2025.”

Phase 1: ‘Location Request’ In early August 2024, GMP launched the GoodSAM platform’s ‘Location Request’ function, a messaging feature which allows GMP to request live location data from individuals with GPS-enabled mobile devices.

The Force Operations Centre (FOC), which oversees high-risk missing person cases, will initially deploy a message to the missing person, expressing concern for their welfare and featuring a clickable link. If the recipient clicks the link, their live location will be shared with the FOC and displayed on a mapping system.

This data is then forwarded to dispatch personnel, who can promptly send officers to the individual’s location to provide them with initial support to them. Based on the successful rollout of GoodSAM at other forces, GMP projects a 10 to 15 per cent response rate to these requests, which could significantly reduce the danger and risk faced by vulnerable individuals or those in crisis.

Project Manager Mike Lee said: “The project team would like to thank all those involved with the VRI project so far for all their help and support. The initial launch of the ‘Location Request’ function went smoothly and according to plan. We have already sent several messages to high-risk MFHs with the live link requests – it is still in the early stages, but we are looking forward to making an impact with this function while we work to keep vulnerable people in Greater Manchester safe by getting them to the right help at the earliest opportunity.”

After just over a month of use, the VRI has proved successful on a significant number of occasions in just a short period of time, allowing for rapid safeguarding of the missing person, helping reduce the risk whilst at the same time significantly reducing the demand on resources.

Critical incident manager Ch Insp Andrew Fern gave us an example of the GoodSAM system in action: “A report came in of two 17-year-old girls that were lost near to Holcombe Hill in Bury, whilst walking their dogs.

The weather started to decline and they became lost in unfamiliar surroundings.

Despite the officers trying to advise a route to the road based on the girls’ initial description and using their vehicle sirens to alert their position, the girls remained lost.

“A request was therefore made for GoodSAM, which at the time was in the pilot phase at the FOC. The situation was assessed and the GoodSAM link was sent to the girl’s phone. After clicking the link the FOC could see their location and reassuring them they were heading in the right direction.

“The police officers on the ground were given the What3Words location for each update, enabling them to approach from the other direction. The girls were located safe and well within 38 minutes from when the GoodSAM message was initially sent.

“This was an excellent example of teamwork between the FOC, Bury district officers and successful use of new technology. I look forward to seeing what it can do in the future.”

5 THE BRIEF

SEPTEMBER 2024

Cloud-based CycComms software coming soon On Monday 14 October 2024, GMP will transition to using a new cloud-based version of CycComms.

Three years of historic data currently contained within the CycComms system will be automatically migrated to the new system, while all data prior to October 2021 will be permanently deleted. At the user end, the new system will retain the same functionality – there will just be some cosmetic changes.

To facilitate this transition, there will be an outage of the current CycComms system from Friday 11 October to Monday 14 October. Urgent requests for communications data can still be made via the Communications Data Investigation Unit (CDIU); however, all non-urgent applications for communications data should be held back from 10pm on Thursday 10 October and only submitted after the system upgrade.

Importance and impact The transition to the new CycComms system represents a fundamental change, comparable to the significance of systems like DEMS and iOPS. This update will impact every investigator within GMP and potentially thousands of staff members. Given the scale of its impact, it is crucial that everyone whose work will be affected is well-prepared for this transition.

What is CycComms?

CycComms is the essential workflow tool used to acquire communications data, which includes critical information such as call data, subscriber information, and IP records held by telecommunications operators like Vodafone, BT, and social media platforms like Facebook.

Communications data plays a pivotal role in around 95% of serious crime investigations, and is also crucial in many missing from home (MFH) and vulnerability investigations.

The CDIU is available 24/7, 365 days a year, supporting officers at the forefront of investigations who are using phone and computer data to help solve various crimes. From drugs conspiracies to tracing high-risk missing persons, the work of the CDIU is integral to many investigations.

Key areas of the unit’s work include: • Obtaining subscriber and call data records from telecommunications providers such as BT, Virgin, EE, and Vodafone.

• Resolving internet IP addresses with broadband and mobile providers.

• Getting account details and login histories from email providers like Google and Microsoft, and from social media companies.

• Receiving account and delivery information from postal operators like Royal Mail and DPD. Get prepared All CycComms users must complete the training, which can be accessed via the CDIU hub at https://www.gsaltd.com/training/ cyccomms.

As a data applicant, you are responsible for downloading all applications, authorities, and resultant data from the current CycComms system and storing it according ‘Review, Retain, Dispose’ (RRD) principles.

Review, Retain, Dispose This announcement marks the final stage of a five-year data assurance project, which has helped the force maintain proper governance in storing and managing data according to legislative requirements. As the project concludes, all users who have previously applied for data using CycComms must adopt the RRD process to ensure that material obtained using the Investigatory Powers Act is either retained for legislative purposes or disposed of appropriately.

Storage of CycComms data CycComms data must not be left on the CycComms system once it has been obtained from the service provider.

CycComms data must not be copied to personal drives, laptops or storage devices, and must cease to be emailed between officers and teams. The storage location for all CycComms data must be centrally held on district to allow all officers and staff to access those call data records. There should be no sensitivities contained within the call data records that would interfere with ongoing investigations or cause concern when managing sensitive operations.

Resources CycComms users can find the RRD tracker for managing current and historic data on their district’s general M365 Teams channel. Each district also has an RRD SPOC for additional support.

For further information about the launch of the new CycComms cloud-based system, you can contact T/Insp Steven Reilly at steven.reilly@gmp.police.uk. For further guidance on the migration of CycComms data, contact Mark Boldison (mark.boldison@gmp.police.uk) or DI Mell Johnson (melanie. johnson@gmp.police.uk) of the Investigatory Powers Data Assurance (IPDA) team. The IPDA Team can also be reached at ipdaprojectteam@gmp.police.uk.

6 THE BRIEF

Judo at GMP This year’s Police Sport UK (PSUK) National Judo Championships will be hosted by Police Scotland in Stirling on Saturday 14 September 2024; and Insp Mark Montrose, fourth Dan British Judo Association coach and current Masters National Champion, is currently building the next team to represent GMP at the prestigious event.

If you would like to get involved in the championships, or if you just want to learn judo, you can contact Mark via email at mark@gmpsportsclub.com or mark.montrose@gmp.police.uk.

Judo is an Olympic sport, which involves throwing, holding, or submitting through choking or arm locking your opponent. It’s great for building confidence and fitness, as well as supporting officer safety by teaching self-defence.

The team and other members of Manchester Fighting Spirit Judo Club train from 5pm till 7pm every Monday and Wednesday at the Hough End Centre. These are mixed ability classes in a friendly environment, and all police officers, police staff, PCSOs and special constables are welcome. All you need

SEPTEMBER 2024

to do to get involved is become a member of the GMP Sports and Social club on any district for the small sum of £7 per month.

The Sports and Social brings many benefits to its members, including: • Access to a myriad of sporting activities.

• Access to the onsite gyms at Sedgley Park and Hough End. • Discounted tickets for events and days out.

• Access to discounted rates on room hire at the Hough End Centre.

• A member’s bar at Hough End with subsidised drinks.

• Additional local benefits in each district.

You can speak to your district’s local Sports and Social representative about joining the club, or the membership form is available online at www.gmpsportsclub.com/MembershipForms.aspx.

Induction sessions for new staff Are you a new member of staff at GMP? Come to Sedgley Park for a quick induction session! It’s a great chance to get to know the organisation, meet your new colleagues, and learn about the support available to you.

Here’s what you’ll get: • A warm welcome to the organisation and essential information • Insights from our health and safety and wellbeing teams, the Professional Standards Directorate (PSD) and staff unions The sessions are mandatory for all new members of police staff, and are open to anyone who has been with the force for three months or less.

Head of Learning and Skills Development Niall Whitehead said: “The introduction of staff induction is integral for a

successful onboarding experience and links to our commitment to support and invest in our people from day one.

“The aim is to build the foundation blocks by ensuring all new starters are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to have a fulfilling and successful career at Greater Manchester Police.”

To sign up, email ProfessionalPolicing@gmp.police.uk.

Sessions will take place every six weeks, on the following dates: • Monday, 14 October 2024 • Monday, 25 November 2024 • Monday, 20 January 2025 • Monday, 3 March 2025 • Tuesday, 6 May 2025

7 THE BRIEF

PC Raja Ahmed memorial

SEPTEMBER 2024

On Saturday 31 August 2024, colleagues, family and community members came together to remember a brave GMP officer who was killed in the line of duty 25 years ago.

PC Raja Basharat ‘Raj’ Ahmed was just 35 when he was killed after trying to stop a suspected stolen car on Alan Turing way in August 1999. The driver rammed PC Ahmed’s motorcycle into a busy traffic junction, where he was hit by an articulated lorry. He died in hospital from his injuries. The driver who hit him is now serving a life sentence.

At the time of his death, PC Ahmed had served in the force for over 14 years and had received four commendations for excellent police work. He was studying in his own time for a law degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.

In 1999, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the murder, a street at a development in Miles Platting was renamed Raja Ahmed Street in tribute to the service PC Ahmed gave to the people of Manchester and the courage he demonstrated in the line of duty.

The event opened with a meet and greet at the Sheridan Centre, before participants made their way to the memorial site on Oldham Road for the service, which featured addresses from representatives of the Muslim Police Association; GMP; a local imam; PC Ahmed’s family; and the Care of Police Survivors (CoPS) charity.

8 THE BRIEF

SEPTEMBER 2024

District and branch awards 2024 Over the past few months, GMP’s districts and branches have celebrated outstanding work among their teams in the annual branch and district awards.

The awards, which are open to all members of the GMP family, provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the officers, staff members, volunteers and apprentices who have done themselves and the force particularly proud over the past year. Selected winners have been put forward for the forcewide Chief Constable’s awards, which will be held in September. Some of this year’s district and branch award winners have included: Police officer of the year: someone we can hold up as an example of the best that Manchester policing has to offer DC Anthony Scott, Serious Crime Division DC Scott was lauded for his ‘extraordinary achievements’ relating to the sentencing of Lee Standen, the final defendant among 10 convicted in Operation Malange, a complex case spanning over two and a half years in court and many months of prior investigation. DC Scott’s leadership and dedication were pivotal factors in the success of this operation – following Standen’s trial, he was commended by His Honour Judge (HHJ) Potter and recognised by the prosecution counsel.

Police staff member of the year: someone who consistently produces excellent work, helps others and contributes to the smooth running of the force.

Jenny Bufton, Corporate Communications Jenny is a dedicated, passionate staff engagement and internal communications officer, who is always willing to go the extra mile to help.

Her warmth and kindness stand out as a positive presence within the branch, and her work with the IT and digital teams has garnered her a reputation as a reliable and skilled communicator.

Apprentice of the year: an asset to their team – someone who is industrious, professional and willing to learn.

Ella Price, Rochdale Since Ella began her business administration apprenticeship in September 2023, she has proven to be an invaluable asset to the Performance Management Unit, showing exemplary professionalism and commitment to her role.

T/Sgt Jessica Fletcher said: “Ella has maintained high levels of professionalism throughout her apprenticeship. She is always eager to help others and has been a positive influence on her colleagues. She has pride in her work which is evident and hopes to join GMP as a staff member. I wish Ella continued success, and she has a bright career ahead of her.”

Manchester, the team commenced an intelligence collection plan and played a pivotal role in Op Wedding, which utilised covert tactics and ultimately led to over 50 arrests. As a result, members of the public have commented that even bikes which were not chained have been left alone. The tactics used during Op Wedding have since been adopted by other areas within GMP.

Proactive criminal investigation of the year: intelligence-led and often wide-ranging Wigan DIU (Op Wedding) In response to the theft and robbery of electric bikes, pedal bikes and motorbikes in the Wigan and Leigh area of Greater

Bravery: celebrating outstanding bravery, from performing lifesaving first aid to putting themselves at risk to protect others PC Connor Davies-Aspey and PC Zack Dorrington, Bury Following a report of a high risk missing of a vulnerable man, the response team on duty pulled together to flood the area.

Student PCs Davies-Aspey and Dorrington were the first on scene to find the man attempting to take his own life. They cut him down and administered first aid; and there can be no doubt that their swift action saved his life.

Congratulations to all our district and branch winners!

9 THE BRIEF

SEPTEMBER 2024

Force chaplaincy today It’s been just over a year now since I took up my post as full-time force lead chaplain, and not surprisingly a few changes have taken place during these past 12 months.

For me, the most important change is that chaplaincy is once again being recognised by many as an important part of our organisation, and not just for the chocolate limes I dole out, but so often now it’s for those many other times when a confidential listening ear, a brew and sure support is sought at any time.

While I’m newish to this role, I’ve been with the force for 23 years. By now many of you throughout GMP already know me, but not everyone knows what I and others on the chaplaincy team do, or indeed that we offer. And that’s why I thought it might be an opportune time to explain what chaplaincy is and what chaplaincy isn’t.

It’s easier to begin with what it isn’t. Chaplaincy is not about getting those around us to close their eyes, put their hands together, and pray. Nor is it about leading the singing of hymns and psalms, although if you want any of those, we can certainly oblige.

Chaplaincy is best seen as support. It’s yet another string to the bow of wellbeing, as I was reminded only recently by a sergeant at Sedgley Park, where I’m based: “You forget, Father, before there was wellbeing there was you; there was chaplaincy.” The support offered by chaplaincy is not only bespoke to the officer or staff member who seeks our help, but everything you share with us is received in total confidence. What is shared with the chaplain remains with the chaplain (unless it is contentious or detrimental to the force, the individual or others). It does not fall under the seal of confession – that’s something entirely different – but it’s like kicking a ball against a wall.

I’m not saying we have all the answers, but if there’s something we don’t know, we usually know someone who does; and so as well as being a confidential listening ear of support we are also a conduit. Because we take on the rank of the person we are speaking to, we can ask questions that other ranks sometimes cannot, and in doing so, are best placed to intercede and sometimes even advocate on your behalf. Chaplaincy is available to all faiths and none, and we are always happy to speak with any member of our GMP family.

As well as my own visits around the force, we also now have volunteer chaplains in most districts. They are ministers of differing faiths and belief backgrounds who give of themselves each week to spend some time on the districts they have been assigned to.

They do this in addition to looking after their own parish communities, often within the same district; this means that they will have a finger on the pulse of any concerns the communities our officers serve may have, and this insight and knowledge can be of great help, especially in difficult times.

If you’d like to contact me or any of our volunteer chaplains regarding anything that may concern you, our contact information can be found on the ‘Force Chaplains’ page on the GMP intranet (Home > GMP Community > Force Chaplains) or on the posters that are displayed around our districts and branches. Remember, we are here to serve those who serve us.

Father Barry Lomax GMP Force Lead Chaplain

10 THE BRIEF

SEPTEMBER 2024

11 THE BRIEF

SEPTEMBER 2024

Are you ready for Right Care, Right Person?

Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) is set to go live at GMP on Monday 30 September.

RCRP is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying the most appropriate agency to provide support to our communities. The police are not always the right agency to respond to calls from the public, and RCRP will provide a framework for those calls to be directed to providers who are better placed to help.

In Greater Manchester, RCRP will apply to G15 jobs which cover concern for welfare, patients walking out or going AWOL from healthcare establishments, and medical support. Missing persons are no longer part of RCRP and now fall under Operation Addition.

Please be aware that no changes should be made to the way we work before Right Care, Right Person is live.

Whom does this affect?

Decisions around RCRP will be made predominantly within FCCO, by call handlers and crime recording and resolution officers (CRROs) using a rigorous assessment tool. Districts can use the principles of RCRP and should whenever appropriate signpost people to the most appropriate service to meet their needs, but there is no need for district officers and staff to refer to the RCRP assessment tool at any point during their shift. If you have a query about a job which you believe should fall under RCRP, please speak to your line manager.

RCRP and the law Under common law the police do not generally owe a duty of care to protect individuals from harm – whether this is caused by themselves or others.

The Human Rights Act 1998 does include provisions under which the police are responsible for taking reasonable measures to protect individuals from harm caused by others or by themselves: • when there is a real and immediate risk to the life of a person or group of persons (Article 2); or • when there is a real and immediate risk of that person being subject to serious harm or other inhumane treatment (Article 3).

Under GMP’s RCRP processes, we will no longer respond to category 1 medical matters; these will be passed to the North West Ambulance Service as a matter of course.

Training Before RCRP goes live on 30 September, all officers and staff in training and public-facing roles must complete a 15-minute training package via College Learn, which can be found at https://www.learn.college.pnn.police.uk/CL/Content/ Summary/47978.

If there are any issues or queries you would like to raise, please email RCRP_Training@gmp.police.uk.

Resources and support You can find news, updates and resources for all aspects of Right Care, Right Person on our dedicated intranet hub by scanning the QR code below.

If you have a question about Right Care, Right Person, you can email the project team at RCRP@gmp.police.uk.

12 THE BRIEF

SEPTEMBER 2024

Wellbeing at Greater Manchester Police The National Bereavement Service and PayPlan financial support The National Bereavement Service (NBS) supports anyone who has experienced a bereavement with practical and emotional information and advice from professional bereavement advisors with a wealth of real-life experience. The service is able to provide support for bereavements which were sudden or traumatic.

The NBS can help you to comply with legal requirements, signpost you to providers such as funeral directors and solicitors and provide a listening ear to help you through a very difficult time. Its expert advisers also help anyone to plan ahead for their own death, from drawing up wills and registering lasting powers of attorney to considering funeral costs.

For confidential personal and practical help following a bereavement, or for advice when planning your future, call the National Bereavement Service on 0800 0246 121 or visit www. thenbs.org.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, the NBS adviser will be able to transfer you to one of the experienced advisers at PayPlan to discuss your circumstances.

At PayPlan, if any individuals we speak to disclose that they are struggling with the impact of bereavement, then due to the partnership we have in place, we can transfer a client directly to the National Bereavement Service hotline or make an online referral.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial difficulties because of bereavement, you can call us on 0800 072 1206. We’re open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays.

Alternatively, you can visit our www.payplan.com/policemutual to speak to us via live chat or for more information.

Men’s mental health walk and talk – the Long Mynd, Saturday 28 September GMP’s Code 9 support network is collaborating with West Mercia Police to hold two ‘walk and talk’ events for men’s health.

The first event will take place on Saturday 28 September 2024, along the Long Mynd trail in Shropshire. The trail is described as moderate, with some challenging sections, but accessible to all fitness levels. If you would be interested in attending and would like further information regarding accommodation, please contact 17202@gmp.police.uk.

Code 9 is a support group for men who want to discuss their concerns and issues that are troubling them. For more information on Code 9 please contact stuart.charlesworth@ gmp.police.uk or russell.fairclough@gmp.police.uk, or you can visit the group’s intranet page via Home > Wellbeing > Internal support > Informal peer support groups > Men’s mental health support.

Last chance to enter Police Mutual’s free quarterly prize draw – ends 30 September 2024 Police Mutual, the police-centred financial services provider, is running a prize draw offering the chance to win a £2,000 electronic Travel Gift Card. For terms and conditions and to enter the draw, visit https://www.policemutual.co.uk/capture/ q3win/.

Management referrals to Health Assured Are you a line manager supporting someone who is struggling?

Line managers across GMP can refer consenting colleagues directly to Health Assured, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), for support on a range of issues.

The EAP provides a range of free, confidential services, including: • Access to counselling and therapy • Access to legal advice • Bereavement support and grief counselling • Qualified nurses offering medical information and support • Online cognitive behavioural therapy • Trauma-focussed therapy for duty-related incidents If you are a line manager and one of your reports has consented to a referral, you can fill out an online referral on their behalf through the Health Assured wellbeing portal at https:// healthassured.my.site.com/forms/s/wellbeing-referral. You do not need authorisation from senior management to do this.

It may be time to make a referral on a colleague’s behalf (with their consent) if you are worried about their mental health or if they are displaying any of the below symptoms: • Feeling continuously low, hopeless or anxious • Lack of concentration, memory issues or feeling overwhelmed easily • Disproportionate rage, anger or resentment • Low self-esteem • Withdrawing socially or increased absence • Disorganised speech • Extreme mood swings • Changes or disruptions in appetite • Increased headaches • Continuous fatigue • Gaining or losing weight rapidly Health Assured is on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support GMP colleagues and members of their household.

Reactive support is available when somebody needs it, or proactive support can be provided to ensure optimum wellbeing.

All referrals are triaged and passed across to the relevant team.