POLICE MAGAZINE Produced by Title Media www.titlemedia.co.uk

GOD SAVE THE KING

AN INCREDIBLE POLICING ACHIEVEMENT

Bravery Awards

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Anesu Mlauzi

Nicola Tait

Anthony Grech-Cumbo

Eve Tawfick

Izaak Southwood

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MOTORWAY COPS: CATCHING BRITAIN'S SPEEDERS

Insp. Anton Sullivan, Roads & Crime Unit /SIO Cheshire Constabulary tells us about taking part in Purple Productions' Motorway Cops: Catching Britain's Speeders. He talks us through the process, the benefits, and what the hit Channel 5 series meant for him and his team.

WHAT

WAS YOUR ROLE IN THE SERIES?

I ended up being very involved, not just taking part in the filming. I worked with Purple for any additional material required, checking the edits to ensure specific tactics, kit or information were not revealed, and took a critical look at what was on film so officers were protected.

HOW DID THE SHOW INCLUDE YOUR KEY MESSAGING?

As an organisation we requested certain aspects of policing were included in the series. From specific initiatives like night time economy and the showcasing of facial recognition technology to “GoodSam” we were able to weave our key messaging into the show.

DID THE FILM CREW IMPACT YOUR DAILY WORK?

The relationship between the Producer/Director (PD) and the officers was critical to the success of the show. It’s not always easy having a camera with you, especially when the viewing figures rocketed, but we managed with the support of the PD. I enjoyed that it allowed us to share with the public and our friends and family what being a police officer means.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH PURPLE?

From the start it was a collaboration. They listened to our ideas and worked with us to achieve a common goal - to showcase the great work the team does and focus on our key issues.

WHY IS THE SHOW A SUCCESS?

It captured the officers' characters and personal stories of nearly every casecountless examples of mobile offences or collisions that viewers can relate to. I am immensely proud of my team and the work they do. It has been a pleasure and privilege to share it with everyone!

TUNE IN TO THE NEW PFEW PODCAST!

Don’t miss the inaugural episode of our brand new podcast, which launches alongside this year’s National Police Bravery Awards in July. POLICE: The Podcast from the Police Federation of England and Wales, will feature news and interviews that will be of interest to our members.

Anoushka Dovey, Head of Communications at PFEW told us: “We’re really excited to bring the podcast to our members. There’s so many important topics and stories that we will be featuring, it has a really broad

scope. A podcast is a great way to keep up to date with everything, as it’s easy to listen in via your mobile or tablet, or even while you’re out on a run or walking the dog.”

The podcast allows listeners to learn more about the work of the PFEW and to hear a distinct, expert perspective on issues that face the police service. If you’d like to listen for yourself, then search iTunes or Spotify for POLICE: The Podcast from the Police Federation of England and Wales.

DATES FOR THE

DIARY

June and July will be packed with events for officers, specials, families and reps

5-6 JUNE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN POLICING AWARDS AND CONFERENCE

An annual awards ceremony, which has been running for more than 25 years, recognises the contributions and achievements of women within the police service. These are the only awards specifically aimed at women in policing in the UK. The event will boast exceptional keynote speakers, as well as drawing on topical strategic issues from NPCC and forces, and following up from February’s Women in Policing Conference. For more information: www.bawp.org

15 JUNE SPECIALS WEBINAR

This event will focus on guidance on Police Treatment Centres and support available through the Benevolent Fund. Register your interest here: https://rb.gy/9ocu7

26 JUNE-2 JULY RESPONSE POLICING WEEK OF ACTION

This is an opportunity to highlight the vital role that Response Officers play in protecting the public and keeping communities safe, and for forces, leaders and practitioners to turn the spotlight on a role that typically sits at the gateway to policing. PFEW is supporting and promoting the event and will signpost to scheduled Teamsdelivered events throughout the week.

6 JULY SPECIALS WEBINAR

This webinar will focus on the financial wellbeing of Special Officers. Register your interest here:

https://rb.gy/9ocu7

13 JULY POLICE BRAVERY AWARDS 2023

We will celebrate the extraordinary acts of courage carried out by 88 police officers from 35 police forces across England and Wales. These awards would not be possible without the support of Police Mutual, who have sponsored the Police

Bravery Awards for more than 10 years. www.policemutual.co.uk

23-24 SEPTEMBER NATIONAL POLICE MEMORIAL DAY AND CHARITY CONCERT

This year’s event will take place at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on 24 September.

The British Police Symphony Orchestra will host a special charity concert on 23 September to support National Police Memorial Day. For more information: www.nationalpolicememorialday.org

CALL FOR CHANGE

The Casey Review leaves no room for complacency, with lasting change to an entire culture as the top priority

Employers facing these kinds of scandals often do the same things: they deliver a strong message that bullying, harassment or any kind of discrimination won’t be tolerated. Staff found guilty of inappropriate behaviours and misconduct are removed. And from now on, they say, the values of mutual respect will be front and centre, repeated everywhere, on office walls, in internal comms, boilerplates, and HR materials. Policies are reviewed and checked for compliance and ways to meet levels of best practice. The new hard and fast values are backed up by training for management and other levels on equality and inclusion awareness and the insidious effects of discrimination.

The Casey Review has called for an overhaul of the Met, including improved vetting standards, powers to re-open misconduct investigations, specialist expertise being brought in to reform leadership, and more effort to improve levels of diversity made, backed up by regular and independent reviews into progress being made.

Values, standards, even policies, don’t make a culture. Very few staff would disagree with principles of tolerance, respect and understanding. But as many staff working in police forces know, that doesn’t mean a great deal, not in itself. It’s in the combination of everyday behaviours, the routine interactions and conversations, the remarks and intimations, private chatter and jokes, where problems are created. A build-up of an atmosphere in terms of what’s allowed, what’s okay, what’s funny — the kind of behaviours that go under the radar and are difficult to call out or criticise because they have become normal, and speaking up means becoming the exception. At the same time, there continues to be structures of power that reinforce and protect the norms.

Changes to a culture won’t happen by

just reinforcing messages around values. Better systems for handling complaints are important, especially when it comes to offering more informal means of speaking up. But in themselves the processes are superficial if people don’t feel able to speak up in the first place, when they are only being made more anxious by the attention given to the seriousness of bullying and harassment issues.

Rather than cracking down, just looking for blame and retribution, police forces need to be thinking in terms of building a positive culture based on everyday behaviours: what’s known as a Clear Air culture. What matters now are the allimportant nuts and bolts of workplace behaviours. HR and leadership in police forces need to recognise what defines a workplace culture in more real, living terms — and accept that with a diverse working population there are going to be many different cultures, not one.

In other words, a better way of developing a good culture is by clearly stating behaviours the organisation wants people to exhibit, supported by training in the skills needed — specifically around how employees interact with each other, how they share and understand and appreciate each other.

In practice, that means:

• Training staff in higher levels of conversation skills: empathy, curiosity, self-awareness, reflective listening and situational awareness, what is known as having ‘Conversational Integrity’ (CI); these capacities or skills are all fundamental, the real levers for what make an organisation or business per form better. If you want staff to able to be themselves in the workplace, they need to feel able to trust their colleagues.

• In particular, helping employees with the tactics needed for dealing with ‘difficult’

or awkward conversations, how to anticipate them, prepare and approach them in a constructive way.

• Setting up an internal mediation service run by trained staff that provides a more personal and informal outlet for dealing with conflict, and provides more employees with universally useful listening skills, a better understanding of workplace dynamics and how to appreciate different perspectives.

• Considering other informal channels which can be used to flag issues early on, making use of familiar tech, such as a reporting app on a smartphone to report inappropriate behaviours.

• Thinking about diversity and inclusion differently; not relying on awareness training around issues to be aware of, or trying to fix ‘proper’ forms of attitudes and behaviours. Employees need to feel able to be themselves and be appreciated as individuals rather than clones — an essential part of diversity and inclusion — but they need to have the people skills to present themselves and deal with others in mature ways.

• Appreciating how people skills are important for encouraging a genuine sense of community and psychological safety, and are now more important than ever. That includes the ability to respond in the right ways to grievances and conflict.

Getting the behaviours right is essential to creating Clear Air cultures, where there is a genuine, everyday sense of trust and confidence in management and the processes involved in standing up for what’s right and reasonable. Not the flat, passive values, but living behaviours.

Arran Heal, Managing Director at workplace relationships expert CMP, www.cmpsolutions.com

TALK TO US

Life can sometimes be overwhelming, but it can be fatal for some, so the Samaritans will run a Talk To Us campaign this July

Talk to Us raises awareness around the Samaritans’ services in helping those struggling and for others to pledge to listen to others if they reach out for help.

To find out more about this campaign, go to www.samaritans.org/support-us/ campaign/talk-us/

Many of us may not realise that someone close to us could be struggling. If we give people the time to talk openly about how they feel, this can help and possibly save lives.

Being a police officer comes with a range of pressures, especially around long hours, attending traumatic scenes, threatening situations, and increasing workloads, which all have a massive impact on mental health. Pressures outside work, such as family issues, bereavement and the cost of living, all contribute, on top of professional stress, to detrimental effects on mental wellbeing.

If you are struggling with certain feelings, here are some signs you are struggling:

• Feeling as if you want to die

• Cannot see any way out of a life situation

• Do not care if you live or die

• Living recklessly and taking more risks than usual

• Thinking of death as the only way out

or to take back control

• Powerless in the face of overwhelming feelings about ending your life

If you are experiencing any of these, letting someone know how you feel can take some of the weight off your emotional burden. Sometimes you might not feel like you can talk to someone you know, so a non-judgemental organisation, such as the Samaritans, can offer positive support.

Their services are free, confidential and aim to protect and offer alternative tools to respond to powerful feelings.

The main hotline number is 116 123, and the Samaritans has launched a self-help app that can track how you are feeling daily. To launch the app, go to: www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/ contact-samaritan/self-help/

On the Samaritans website, the link at www.samaritans.org/how-we-canhelp/ will take you to a wide range of advice and support on issues, including how to prevent self-harm, practical tips to avoid the mental health impact of doom-scrolling on social media and other sources of help.

THE SILENT BATTLEFRONT

The rising tide and tragic human cost of negative narratives around UK policing. By

Emily Smith,

Emergency Services News

In recent years, there’s been a palpable shift in public perception of UK police. This shift is not a product of isolated incidents, but a systemic change reflected in media narratives. For those within the rank and file, it’s a rising tide that seems impossible to stem.

THE TURNING OF THE TIDES

It is hard to ignore the increasing number of negative stories dominating the news landscape. This trend overlooks the countless daily sacrifices and successes of police officers.

So, what’s behind this sudden surge of negativity, and what are its impacts

on the men and women serving in law enforcement?

THE CLASH OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND INTERNAL PERCEPTIONS

Inside the force, a troubling perspective is emerging.

this sentiment has been unduly shaped and intensified by a sensationalist media, focusing on the flaws rather than the merits of the force.

There’s a growing feeling that the management isn’t doing enough to correct this skewed narrative. On the contrary, some within the force feel their superiors are capitulating to the wave of criticism, fuelling its momentum, rather than countering it.

“Many officers perceive that senior management is actively seeking to make examples of their colleagues to appease public sentiment”

Many officers perceive that senior management is actively seeking to make examples of their colleagues to appease public sentiment. They argue

THE FALLOUT: DWINDLING MORALE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

This unsettling trend is causing morale within the force to plummet. Where once

stories of life-saving interventions, arrests of dangerous criminals, and community outreach used to balance the narrative, they now seem few and far between. Meanwhile, tales of misconduct, abuse of power, and other negative aspects overshadow the good work.

The numbers tell the story. Over the past year, the rate of negative police stories has risen to an average of 10 per month – a significant increase from the previous year. Concurrently, positive stories have halved to just five per month.

A DISTURBING HUMAN COST

The implications of this trend go beyond damaged reputations and strained police-public relations. It’s having a profound, tangible impact on the officers themselves.

In the year ending March 2023, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that a staggering 10,542 police officers in England and Wales resigned from their jobs. This represents a 20% increase from the previous year.

Even more tragic is the rise in the number of officers taking their own lives. According to the Police Federation of England and Wales, 12 officers died by suicide during the same period. This shocking statistic speaks volumes about the mental strain that these professionals are under.

THE UNTOLD STORY:

BODY-WORN CAMERA FOOTAGE

sharing body-worn camera footage.

Transparency is a two-way street – it’s about acknowledging errors, but it’s also about showcasing triumphs and acts of valour. By releasing more of this footage, the police can foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the dedication and bravery shown by officers daily.

A WAY FORWARD: BALANCING ACCOUNTABILITY WITH EMPATHY

Addressing this unsettling trend requires an approach that considers both the public’s needs and the officers’ wellbeing. Police misconduct must be held accountable to maintain public trust. However, it’s equally important to remember that the vast majority of police officers are hardworking individuals committed to serving their communities with integrity.

Acknowledging the daily challenges faced by police officers is the first step. The courage to run towards danger when others run away, the endurance to maintain law and order, even when faced with aggression and violence, and the

Media organisations have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that they report responsibly, providing a balanced perspective on policing that acknowledges both the shortcomings and the accomplishments of the force. Similarly, police management teams must demonstrate transparent accountability while actively supporting and advocating for their officers.

An environment that cultivates trust and communication will help officers feel valued and understood.

THE PUBLIC, TOO, HAS A PART TO PLAY

An informed citizenry is a crucial component in this equation, and taking the time to understand the complexity of police work can pave the way for more constructive conversations and less stigmatisation.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: AN UPHILL BUT VITAL TASK

Yes, there’s an uphill task to stem the rising tide of negative narratives around UK policing.

“Transparency is a two-way street – it’s about acknowledging errors – and about showcasing triumphs and valour”

One significant resource that could dramatically alter public perceptions is the widespread use of body-worn cameras by police officers.

While these devices are predominantly used as a tool for evidence-gathering and accountability, they also capture countless instances of heroism, bravery, and dedication that often go unnoticed.

Regrettably, the police rarely release this body-worn camera footage to the public. This results in missed opportunities to counterbalance the prevalence of negative stories and highlight the extraordinary lengths to which officers often go to ensure public safety.

Not only could this footage serve as compelling evidence of the admirable work being done by police officers, but it could offer the public a first-hand perspective of the complexities and challenges inherent in policing. Therefore, police forces must reassess their stance on

resilience to face criticism from those they vow to protect – these are qualities that need to be highlighted.

Let’s strive for a balanced narrative that scrutinises wrongdoing while also celebrating the countless acts of bravery and kindness exhibited by our law enforcement officers. We must remind ourselves that beneath the uniform and behind the badge, there’s a human being dealing with the same struggles we all face.

Taking these steps towards restoring balance in the narrative may be the key to boosting morale within the force and reinstating public faith in those sworn to protect them.

It’s a challenge that demands our collective effort and understanding. But with careful attention and genuine empathy, it is one that we can undoubtedly rise to.

RESTORING A BALANCED NARRATIVE

Achieving this balance calls for a concerted effort from all involved parties.

However, if we are to ensure the continued efficacy of our law enforcement, it’s a task that we must recognise.

In fostering a more balanced narrative, we not only rebuild public trust but also help safeguard the wellbeing of our police officers. It’s not an overstatement to say that their lives could depend on it.

The need for open dialogue, improved media reporting, and effective internal support structures within law enforcement agencies has never been greater.

While criticism is essential for improvement, let’s keep sight of the larger picture. We must strive to promote narratives that emphasise not just the lapses but also the dedication, sacrifice, and positive impact of the police force on our society.

Together, we can weather the storm, rewrite the narrative, and build a future where police officers feel valued, the public feels heard, and trust in law enforcement is renewed.

Let’s ensure that our conversations around policing are not just about scrutiny but also about appreciation, understanding, and mutual respect.

www.emergency-services.news

OPERATION GOLDEN ORB

As crowds gathered on the streets of London to catch a glimpse of King Charles III, a record number of officers from across the country stood side by side with military personnel to make it a safe, once-in-a-lifetime experience

King Charles III’s coronation parade started at Buckingham Palace, wound around The Mall via Admiralty Arch, along the south side of Trafalgar Square, and headed down Whitehall and Parliament Street, before finally arriving at Westminster Abbey.

One of the most significant police operations, Operation Golden Orb, was one of the largest security and public order measures the Police Service has ever led. There were more than 29,000 police officer deployments in the lead-up to the Coronation Day, which continued over the entire bank holiday weekend.

“More than 29,000 police officers were deployed in the leadup to the Coronation, as well as the entire bank holiday weekend”

Much like with the late Queen’s funeral, a select group of highly trained police officers protected the Royal Family. The coronation crown itself is worth £2.5 million, making it a highly valuable target. As the Met led one of the greatest security challenges, firearms officers, special constables, marine and air support units, mounted police and dog handlers, along with thousands of frontline officers formed the momentous effort to

© Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 2023/PA

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

© Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 2023/PA © Department for Culture, Media and Sport

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

BBC television footage

“Facial recognition technology was used to spot offenders in the crowd, measures that could become more widespread to aid police in identifying crime”

keep people safe during the King’s coronation.

Officers from all over the country were delighted to be at the forefront of this historic event as they stood alongside forces representing all home nations. The Northern Irish Police Force stood out in their green uniforms.

In their history of more than 200 years, police officers have been the invisible force behind some of the nation’s largest and high-profile events, remaining ever watchful, dutifully, and spending long hours without breaks strategically placed to respond quickly and efficiently to any disruption.

Facial recognition technology was used to spot offenders in the crowd, measures that could be more widespread in the near future to aid police in identifying crime more effectively.

PFEW National Chair Steve Hartshorn said: “The priority for our police officers was to enable the public to enjoy this momentous historic occasion safely. The mutual aid programme saw thousands of police officers from across the country deployed in London to prevent any and every disruption.

“In one of the most significant and largest police operations of the UK, officers worked around the clock

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

© The Metropolitan Police

to protect the King, members of the Royal Family, our Government, and the public.

“The use of state-of-the-art facial recognition technology was one of the key features of Operation Golden Orb.

“It is an honour for our officers, who are proud to be Crown Servants, to be at the heart of the celebrations serving the King on his special day, and we hope to have made His Majesty and the public proud.”

Police forces across the nation had been planning the operation for months, working closely with partner agencies, such as the British Transport Police and the National Crime Agency.

10,000 officers deployed from regions across the nation to keep the streets safe.

PFEW Deputy National Chair Tiff Lynch said: “Thousands of police officers across regions worked additional hours to ensure people participated safely in the celebrations over the weekend. Amongst the 400,000 recipients of the Coronation Medal are police officers who have

highly experienced command team with a proven record of safeguarding significant events, possessing expertise in executing multi-layered security operations.

“Police forces across the nation planned the operation for months, working with partner agencies, such as the British Transport Police and the National Crime Agency”

exhibited inspirational dedication and support for the King’s Coronation.

In a colossal mutual aid effort, officers descended on the capital from all over the UK. It was akin to other high-profile events, such as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Those two events saw more than

“The unity shown by police officers from across the UK to represent as one force is exemplary. We are proud of the rank and file, who never fail to stand up to protect the people and uphold the law.”

The operation was led by members of a

Operation Golden Orb included officers lining the processional route, managing crowds and road closures, protecting high-profile individuals, and carrying out searches with specialist teams. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in central London as the King’s Procession travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Events that involve the Monarchy carry the potential for protests, terror attacks and riots, and often pose a high risk to officers and the public. Year after year, police officers have ensured milestone events pass without any untoward incidents, despite the increased possibility of criminal activity, with minimal effect on the public.

© The Metropolitan Police

© The Metropolitan Police

© The Metropolitan Police

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

© Department for Culture, Media and Sport

GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT

For Mental Health Awareness Week, National Board member and PFEW Wellbeing Lead Sue Honeywill talks about preventative support for police officers and improved working conditions

Anxiety in the police service is high, but we can intervene before our officers reach breaking point. This year, Mental Health Awareness Week has a theme we can all relate to: anxiety. Much has been written about the pressures police officers face daily. In our latest Pay and Morale Survey almost half (42%) said they viewed their job as very or extremely stressful. Of those who had experienced stress, low mood, and anxiety, the vast majority stated this was made worse by work.

without having time to de-brief and recharge. Meal breaks are considered a luxury, instead of the norm. Since the closure of many canteens, there are limited opportunities for officers to decompress, rest and recuperate.

Working excessive hours, our officers are left exhausted on rest days, when

and support I see colleagues give one another on the frontline is exceptional. The stigma surrounding mental health is crumbling away, so now opening up about our struggles is starting to be viewed as a strength, not a weakness.

“The stigma surrounding mental health is crumbling away, so now opening up about our struggles is starting to be viewed as a strength, not a weakness”

Every time I speak to my colleagues, they tell me they feel stressed, overworked, and often undervalued. Morale remains an issue. I know the horrendous high-profile cases that bring British policing into disrepute have exacerbated that. But despite the struggles, officers remain focused on doing the best job they can. There is a real drive to deliver the highest standards of services to the public from dedicated officers.

There is no question policing is a difficult job. Officers deal with traumatic incidents on a regular basis, demand is increasing and assaults on officers remain high. Although we have seen an uplift in officer numbers, staffing levels remain a challenge. Absence rates are high for many reasons, including poor mental health, and officers exiting the force.

The situation leaves our officers going from one incident to another, often

they are not cancelled, and anxious about their ever-increasing workload. We are still receiving information that officers are struggling to get their annual leave.

Fatigue and anxiety could easily slip over into depression and PTSD. Although there has been a fantastic investment in wellbeing by forces and the College of Policing, it is unlikely we’ll see a tangible difference in officer wellbeing until fundamental working conditions are improved.

Preventative measures to support officers proactively are equally as important, instead of waiting around for them to seek out help. For example, trauma checklists should be introduced to monitor how many traumatic incidents an officer attends and whether they have received the right level of support and de-briefing.

On a more positive note, the care

Don’t be afraid to ask your colleagues twice if they are ok. A second “How are you?” can make all the difference if they say they are fine the first time. No officer should suffer in silence, and there are services available to offer help such as Oscar Kilo and our Welfare Support Programme.

It remains a priority for PFEW to work with forces to take a preventative approach to wellbeing, to protect the wellbeing of our police officers, and promote good mental health. This is so we can address stress, anxiety, and low mood within the service.

Often, it is hard to keep pace with the changes in policing and this in itself can cause anxiety. We must ensure we get the basics rights.

For more information about Oscar Kilo www.oscarkilo.org.uk

For more information about our Welfare Support Programme www.polfed. org/support/ welfare-supportprogramme-wsp

HELP IS AT HAND

PFEW’s Welfare Support Programme (WSP) has been a lifeline for hundreds of police officers and their families who are going through life-changing circumstances, as two officers form Derbyshire can attest

The two Derbyshire officers who have used the confidential service spoke about its benefits and how it has helped them.

“The WSP is there for you to assist and support you with your mental health, or if you need to discuss things that are challenging in your life. It can be anything from bereavement through to the everyday anxiety side of things”, explained one of our officers. “One benefit of using the WSP is that you don’t feel alone. There’s always someone there that will walk you through anything and advise you when you need help. If you are struggling and going through a difficult time you know you are not alone.”

where work, despite all their promises of supporting my mental health, did not help. For three months, I was desperately requesting help and I got none at all from work. The Federation stepped up and arranged for me to speak to someone from the WSP,” commented another officer who used the service recently. “My support worker was absolutely brilliant and

“With any issues or situations in life, the hardest thing is to accept you need help. I think that is the biggest thing. Once you get over that first boundary, it is actually a bit easier,” they continued. “Many do not want to be tagged or labelled as weak, especially in an establishment such as the police. You don’t want to be frowned upon by your peers or other people that you work with.”

“My support worker was absolutely brilliant, so supportive from the very start and so easy to talk to”

Local Federation branches can refer members to the service for practical and mental support with clinical assessments and dedicated counselling from fully trained, accredited professionals. Followon specialist support will be provided where needed.

The WSP is designed to complement the services already available, but sometimes there are reasons officers do not want to approach their forces, whether that is down to trust issues, or having to wait several months for a referral.

“The Federation came through for me

so supportive from the very start. He was so easy to talk to and it very much felt like talking to a colleague who fully understood what I was going through.

“I was undergoing the medical retirement procedure which is incredibly stressful. My support worker walked me through step by step and explained everything, which then, in turn, took away a lot of worry and made me feel much more comfortable,” they explained.

When experiencing a difficult time, the first step is acknowledging what you are going through and then seeking help.

“If I had a broken leg, I would seek medical help and have a plaster put on it, but because you can’t see mental health issues, they are easier to ignore. You just need to take the first step and once that first step is done, it just gets easier and easier,” urged another service user.

At least 500 members are being given timely, ongoing support from Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), which has provided WSP services since December 2020. DMWS is an independent charity providing medical welfare to the armed forces, veterans, NHS staff, and emergency services.

If you are a subscribing PFEW member and would like more information, please contact your local Federation branch for WSP support

SAFE SPACES

For National Men’s Health Week, we are focusing on the National Men’s Health Forum, an initiative led by National Board Operational Policing and Welsh Lead, Zac Mader

The National Men’s Health Forum (NMHF) has been set up to address men’s health and associated issues that are often swept under the carpet as too awkward to discuss publicly, or overlooked in a macho culture often experienced in police work. We know, especially in policing, how damaging a macho culture can be. The aim of the NMHF is to dedicate time and effort into challenging stereotypes and lead Forces to create healthy safe spaces for men to express themselves and look after one another.

It is important for the NMHF:

• To be an open forum where anyone can discuss all issues that affect men in a supportive, non-judgemental, confidential space.

• To provide a supportive peer network for all police officers of federated rank.

• To develop awareness of common concerns and issues affecting men.

• To share good practice that will develop and improve men’s holistic wellbeing.

• To collaborate with all other support networks and associations, encouraging mutual attendance at each other’s meetings and events.

• To ensure that men’s Health is represented at all Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Boards within all business areas.

• To promote collaboration with other emergency ser vices and identify common areas that affect men’s wellbeing.

The NMHF will include input by National Board members Leigh Godfrey, Matt Slade, Mark Jones and Belinda Goodwin, as well as Zac. This group will steer the direction of the network, organise events, communicate across the membership and help to identify what, if any, provisions there are across police forces to address issues of men’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The desire is to identify where local provision already exists, define best practice when it is visible, and identify where lack of provision occurs and how it can be addressed.

this is a misrepresentation of the PFEW’s responsibilities. This misconception does not acknowledge the responsibilities of individual forces as employers and their duty of care to all staff.

“Male officers are less likely to talk about trauma with colleagues and this allows negative emotions, such as humiliation or shame, to manifest”

The emphasis must be on ensuring all forces provide adequate focus on men’s health, if they are not doing so already. It is often assumed that, as the staff representative body, the Federation will focus on wellbeing issues. However, this is a red herring. Although PFEW focuses heavily on members’ wellbeing,

Mark Andrews, National Board Member and Health and Safety Lead, notes The Health and Safety Act states that “every employer should, so far as reasonably practical, look after the health, safety and welfare of their staff in the workplace”. This includes health screening where there is a risk assessment that says it’s a requirement. Health screening is a particular focus for the NMHF. A letter has been sent to all Chief Constables by PFEW to remind them of their obligation to look after the health of their employees as an initial first step.

The new forum’s primary aim is to drive a levelling-up of men’s health and to highlight a wellbeing provision to men that is on par with women’s health provisions, which have recently started to improve at pace. This is not intended to remove focus from women’s health provision. The point is simply that men should have equal consideration when it comes to health and wellbeing.

Wellbeing Lead, Belinda Goodwin, will pick up the focus on the four pillars of wellbeing that can be separated out and targeted with individual campaigns. Mental wellbeing, financial wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and a fourth area for initiatives that do not fit under the first three umbrella terms. This will distinguish competing issues, so the NMHF is better placed to address concerns.

For example, it is well known that male officers are more likely to be assaulted on duty, yet there is little provision dedicated specifically to the damage and longer lasting impacts of these assaults. Male officers are less likely to talk about trauma with colleagues and this allows negative emotions, such as humiliation or shame, to manifest. The impact of these incidents on mental health can be devastating.

officers join across England and Wales. But it is unknown as to whether there has been a proportionate uplift in the number of OH practitioners across all regions. John Harrison, interim Chief Medical Officer, will look to address OH standards across the country. His work in this area will be closely followed by the PFEW and the NMHF.

This issue has already been raised on the Police Covenant Oversight Board on behalf of the National Chair, Steve Hartshorn. It’s worth noting that Policing Minister, Chris Philp, wrote to all Chief Constables instructing them to update the self-assessment occupational health standards within 12 months.

The focus of the first NHMF meeting was PSA testing. This involved evaluating the successes and lessons learnt from PSA testing events held across various forces and establishing best practice for

practice has been a key part of the PSA events. By doing so, the NMHF can manage expectations by highlighting what good looks like and how best to achieve that.

There are a few forces where best practice for PSA testing already exists, namely Herts, Kent, Essex and North Wales. Testing events have also been held by Merseyside, Hampshire and more. Hampshire have a great wellbeing model that other forces could learn from, including a dedicated wellbeing app for their officers.

The NMHF wants to ensure that the experiences and best practice lessons gained by these four forces and others, can be shared across all Services and act as a catalyst to see PSA testing become business as usual, available to all eligible officers.

“The impact of suicide within the policing family ripples across all those who knew or came in contact with the deceased”

future events.

Such an examination highlights the lack of dedicated safe, men-only spaces to debrief after incidents or distressing calls, or just have private conversations that can help process distress. Tied to this, specific figures around mental wellbeing stand out – suicide in male officers is disproportionately high compared to female officers.

The NMHF will keep an eye on all issues that affect the health and wellbeing of our members, such as the impact that low numbers of occupational health (OH) practitioners can have, as highlighted by Steve Treharne, Chair, South Wales Federation.

Steve identified that historically, at least since austerity, OH has been underfunded and he sees little movement to address this. In Wales, there is a clear lack of resource – it typically takes four weeks for Welsh officers to get an OH referral and counselling. Based on traditional estimates, there should be at least one OH practitioner per 1,000 officers, but in Wales there is a 33% shortfall of practitioners.

This is important, as the uplift programme has seen 20,000 new

PSA testing detects the levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. These levels can be an early indicator of heightened risk of prostate cancer. There exists, rightly, provisions for breast cancer screening for women and smear tests across the NHS, but no such provision is made for prostate cancer, which is equally as prevalent in men. The NMHF wants to redress the balance and ensure that adequate provision exists for all eligible serving officers.

The enzymes that PSA testing measures are not released in men until their mid-forties, so PSA testing events are only relevant for a small percentage of officers in any police force. Any drive to establish PSA testing as business as usual must remind chief constables that costs will not be as extravagant as they may initially fear.

The message that the NMHF wants heard, is that PSA testing is a cheap, effective tool in the fight against prostate cancer in men over 40. The aim is not just to provide fast and convenient PSA testing facilities, but to raise awareness, remove the stigma and fear of testing, and educate officers of its benefits, especially for those who may be at higher risk or more likely to return a positive test result.

The need to identify and share best

Additionally, some forces are beginning to promote the Icletest, with Essex worth a special mention. Matt Slade, Chair of the Essex Men’s Forum, has secured a discounted price for all forces in England and Wales. The Icletest picks up minuscule traces of blood in urine that are almost undetectable any other way, which can be a very early sign of prostate, kidney or bladder cancer.

The focus of the second NMHF meeting was suicide and post-vention. The post-vention toolkit was discussed in the December 2022 issue of POLICE magazine. It is one of the most important toolkits that has been produced to date. We would love to be able to say that all forces utilise this toolkit, but unfortunately there is still resistance to it in some regions, where the prevailing attitude is that it is unnecessary.

This is, we feel, not good enough. The impact of suicide within the policing family can be huge, rippling across all those who knew or came in contact with the individual. Suicide at this moment of impact is so dangerous. This is because it can be almost contagious as guilt and other negative emotions, so having something that can be called upon and used to combat this spread is vital. Anything that can be done to support officers, help prevent or deter others from thinking about self-harm or worse, should be taken up by all forces.

Should you wish to alert any specific issues to the forum, email nationalmenshealth@polfed.org

THE UNICORN BEDROOM

Norfolk PC and Fed rep, Kevin Borrett, was diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and his journey has led to support for officers in Norfolk and Suffolk

I’m Kev of Norfolk Constabulary. I’m 45 years old and have two children. I’ve spent the last 20 years in frontline policing and this is my story.

Aged 19, I started my policing career in the South African Police. This is best described as policing in a challenging environment. I quickly became accustomed to dealing with murders, shootings and traumatic incidents with no system for debriefing or processing jobs. Police shootings were resolved by a chat with the inspector and a quick statement, then it was back to the station to reload.

the 7 July 2005 London bombings, and counter-terrorism operations.

incidents over in my mind. I often woke during the night drenched in sweat with my heart racing and gasping for air. This meant I was often operating with very little sleep, I was short with my colleagues and reacting negatively to changes at work.

I spoke to my GP, who prescribed sleeping tablets. I felt like I couldn’t switch off and I was in a state of hyper-vigilance. Simple things, like going out for a family meal, were challenging. I was constantly scanning people in the restaurant, looking for threats. I didn’t feel I was present and ultimately, I was unable to enjoy the time we spent together.

As these issues escalated, I asked my supervisor to refer me to workplace health. My ex-wife, who is a serving police officer, was supportive but finding it difficult to manage. Our two children were at primary school at the time. I was often unhappy and short-tempered. I began withdrawing more, not wanting to get involved with family activities or see friends. I was using alcohol as a coping mechanism, which made me feel progressively worse.

I had dealt with so many traumatic and high-pressure jobs up to this point, but one had a profound effect on me, and it worried me about how I reacted to it.

“I began experiencing intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and night terrors. I was having trouble falling asleep, replaying incidents in my mind, and waking up drenched in sweat with my heart racing, gasping for air”

After moving to the UK in 2001, I joined the Met Police’s Territorial Support Group. During my time there I dealt with

I transferred to Norfolk in 2013 and qualified as an ARV officer and really took to the role, thriving in the high-pressure environment. Due to demand, we often moved from deployment to deployment with very little time to process.

Towards the end of 2021, I began experiencing intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and night terrors. I was having trouble falling asleep after work, replaying

While on a mobile ARV patrol, local units were dispatched when a hanging was reported. We were close by. Due to my enhanced medical training and equipment, I selfdeployed to the incident and we were first on the scene.

A three-year-old girl ran out the front door and into the street. My crew partner caught hold of her as we went

inside. I was met by a six-year-old girl in tears. She told me her daddy was in the “Unicorn Bedroom”.

With the medic kit on my back, I ran upstairs. A heavily pregnant woman was hysterical and screaming. Her husband had tried to take his life in the girl’s bedroom.

I started doing CPR while trying to get the mother to take the girls downstairs. I managed to get a defibrillator on and an airway in, and 10 minutes later, the critical care team arrived and took over.

As I walked out of the home, I was hit by the cold air. I felt overwhelmed by emotion, I felt a lump in my throat and my chest tightened. I was holding back the tears and couldn’t make sense of the situation. I had never reacted like this before. To me, it was a change, and I felt deeply affected by that job.

was very understanding and supportive, signing me off work and prescribing antidepressants for my hyper-vigilance. The force psychologist confirmed a diagnosis of CPTSD.

CPTSD was explained to me as: “Dealing with numerous traumatic events or incidents over a prolonged period of time”, as well as having problems in emotional regulation, self-image and

revisit incidents and assign more positive beliefs. There was also an intensive, specifically designed exercise program.

During this time, I continued to see my PFOA therapist Aaron Davis, who really assisted and supported me during this difficult time.

My weekly sessions enabled me to cope and improve myself and the relationships that had suffered owing to CPTSD. These sessions were intrinsic to my recovery.

Within a few weeks of completing the ITS programme, I felt well enough to return to work with restrictions, after being off for eight months, although I wasn’t able to carry firearms, do night shifts or operational policing.

Later in 2022, I was invited to attend a programme run by Devon and Cornwall police called Surfwell. It’s a one-day peer support program using surf therapy to promote psychological, physical and psychosocial wellbeing. One-to-one coaching gives participants from all aspects of the emergency services space to talk about concerns. The research behind this has been supported by the University of Exeter and the programme has been running for four years using operational officers to support police, fire, ambulance and lifeboat workers with amazing success.

“Going out for a meal was a challenge. I was constantly scanning people in the restaurant, looking for threats. I was unable to enjoy the time we spent together”

interpersonal issues. I kept in contact with work and updated them with the steps I was taking to get well.

The man who tried to take his life was admitted to hospital, but his life support was turned off a few days later because he had no brain function. I was nominated for a Royal Humane Society award for my efforts. However, I blamed myself for not doing more and felt I didn’t deserve the recognition.

At the beginning of 2022 things got worse and I felt very much alone. The journey to access support services can be time-consuming and bureaucratic, internally and externally. I felt I couldn’t cope with the isolation. It never occurred to me that I would ever need to ask for help. I viewed people with mental health problems as just not being resilient enough.

In March 2022, my ex-wife made an emergency appointment with my GP as I was having suicidal thoughts. My GP

I contacted the Police Firearms Officers Association (PFOA). They were very supportive and offered me a therapist. I also contacted Flint House, the police rehabilitation centre, and they offered me a week on their residential mental health program which I attended last May.

In June 2022, I spent four days on the residential Armed Forces Warrior Program, which was arranged and funded by a close friend. Then, in September 2022, I was selected to take part in twoweek trial PTSD program called Intensive Trauma Service (ITS), run by Police Care UK in Harrogate.

The program was residential and used CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy), which enables deconstruction of events, challenging thoughts, beliefs and attitudes. EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing), which uses eye movement therapy, helped me

I was so inspired by Surfwell, that I started looking for ideas to implement a similar peerdriven programme in my force. I aimed to bridge the gap between officers and staff needing help, and identify resources and organisations to provide support and help where needed.

In Norfolk and Suffolk police, we didn’t have anything like this. I felt there was still an outdated attitude of negativity and stigma around mental health within policing. Staff felt that by raising an issue around mental health, it would automatically lead to being moved, changing roles and losing contact with colleagues. A good friend, Adam Williams, a lecturer at Easton College, Norfolk offered to help me get something up and running to support officers and staff. The response has been groundbreaking.

Adam trained me as an outdoor pursuits and bush-craft instructor and paddle sport instructor. I’m planning to get more Norfolk and Suffolk officers trained as instructors with the help of Adam and Simon McKinna, who runs

wellbeing programs for Aviva.

Professor Renos Papadopoulous PhD, Director of Trauma Studies at the University of Essex and the United Nations advisor on trauma, has assisted us in putting together the trauma-aware training package for our instructors.

I am confident that if Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies take on the ‘Rewilding’ peer support programme, it will have a huge impact on people who need help, and encourage discussions about emotional and mental wellbeing. I am so grateful for the support and assistance I’ve received. It has had such a profound effect on my life. I hope my story can act as a trigger and ultimately help others.

SPOTTING THE SIGNS

The NHS guidance on PTSD symptoms can help keep officers alert to people at risk

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life.

In most cases, the symptoms develop during the first month after a traumatic event, but in a minority of cases, there may be a delay of months or even years before symptoms start to appear.

Some people with PTSD experience long periods when their symptoms are less noticeable, followed by periods where they get worse. Other people have constant severe symptoms.

The specific symptoms of PTSD can vary widely between individuals, but generally fall into the categories described below.

RE-EXPERIENCING

Re-experiencing is the most typical symptom of PTSD. This is when a person involuntarily and vividly relives the traumatic event in the form of:

• Flashbacks

• Nightmares

• Repetitive and distressing images or sensations

• Physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling

Some people have constant negative thoughts about their experience, repeatedly asking themselves questions that prevent them coming to terms with the event.

For example, they may wonder why the

event happened to them and if they could have done anything to stop it, which can lead to feelings of guilt or shame.

AVOIDANCE AND EMOTIONAL NUMBING

Trying to avoid being reminded of the traumatic event is another key symptom of PTSD. This usually means avoiding certain people or places that remind you of the trauma, or avoiding talking to anyone about your experience.

Many people with PTSD try to push memories of the event out of their mind, often distracting themselves with work or hobbies.

Some people attempt to deal with their feelings by trying not to feel anything at all. This is known as emotional numbing. This can lead to the person becoming isolated and withdrawn, and they may also give up pursuing activities they used to enjoy.

HYPERAROUSAL (FEELING “ON EDGE”)

Someone with PTSD may be very anxious and find it difficult to relax. They may be constantly aware of threats and easily startled. This state of mind is known as Hyperarousal. Hyperarousal often leads to:

• Irritability

• Angry outbursts

• Sleeping problems (insomnia)

• Difficulty concentrating

OTHER PROBLEMS

Many people with PTSD also have a number of other problems, including:

• Other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety or phobias

• Self-harming or destructive behaviour, such as drug misuse or alcohol misuse

• Other physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach aches

PTSD sometimes leads to work-related problems and the breakdown of relationships.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE

It’s normal to experience upsetting and confusing thoughts after a traumatic event, but in most people these improve naturally over a few weeks.

You should visit your GP if you are still having problems after about four weeks following the traumatic experience, or the symptoms are particularly troublesome.

Your GP will want to discuss your if symptoms with you in as much detail as possible.

They’ll ask whether you have experienced a traumatic event in the recent or distant past and whether you have re-experienced the event through flashbacks or nightmares.

Your GP can refer you to mental health specialists if they feel you’d benefit from treatment.

BAGS FOR STRIFE

From Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May 2023), a new charity has emerged to raise awareness of the help available to people in times of crisis

PFEW is at the heart of many of the support structures that are integral to our members and will always support and promote organisations that offer help when it is most needed. One such organisation is the young charity, Bags for Strife, set up in 2020 by people who have lost loved ones to suicide.

family felt the need to close themselves off to the wider world and concentrate on working through their own grief. The lack of support that was available in the

“By having something physical that can be left with families, it is possible for them to turn to the bag when they are ready”

The driving force behind the organisation is the impressive and inspirational Angela Allen. She lost her daughter, Katrina, to suicide in 2019. Eight months later she lost her husband, Damian, who also took his own life.

After experiencing such loss in a concentrated period of time, it would have been understandable if Angela and her

aftermath provided little refuge or solace.

But Angela is made of strong stuff. Struck by the absence of support, and recognising that if this was their experience, it must be the experience of others, Angela reached out to others affected by suicide.

Starting these conversations, it

became clear that the common ground went beyond emotional trauma. It was cemented by the lack of available support. As Angela discussed her experience, she discovered that everyone’s overriding emotions had the same pattern of blame, anger, guilt, sadness (BAGS). It was from these conversations that BAGS for Strife was born.

The concept is simple. The aim is to provide something physical that can be left with a family when they receive the shattering news that they have lost a loved one to suicide. It is unsurprising to know that once such news is delivered, any information that may be relayed is likely to

go unheard.

By having something physical that can be left with families, it is possible for them to turn to the bag when they are ready. BAGS hopes that by providing practical and emotional support in this way, so it’s there whenever someone feels ready to reach for it, the feeling of being alone is alleviated, even if in just the smallest way.

Angela, along with the Trustees and Steering Group members of the charity, all of whom have been affected by suicide either directly or indirectly, have ensured that the design and contents of each bag make those who receive them know they are not alone in their grief.

The bags contain a variety of seemingly unconnected items, but each one has care and thoughtful consideration behind its selection. Those given the bags are reminded that the bag represents a collection of care, love and support that can be reached for as and when they feel ready.

The contents of the bags include:

colleagues within BAGS, know that even while some found others’ stories helped them feel less alone, some members avoided other people’s experiences, as it felt too much to bear.

Other items include a water bottle, tissues, chocolate, hand cream, lip balm, a pen, an official government booklet about available help, sleep spray and, of course, the bag itself.

A number of police services are now working with BAGS for Strife, and it is our hope that this number will grow. In 2022, the charity established their first distribution link with Lancashire Police, closely followed by Leicestershire Police and Derbyshire Police. The impact these have is clear for the services to see.

with little recourse to return to the family. If there is an inquest or investigation, this can drag on for months, during which time families can feel isolated and lost. The simple act of handing over a BAG for Strife provides a reason to check in. This gives officers a true sense of purpose, providing a source of comfort and community to the bereaved, as well as value to the officers.

We would like to see all forces work with BAGS for Strife – the provision of postsuicide care and support should not be a postcode lottery.

Angela and her family have lived through unimaginable loss and grief, and against the odds have found a way forward by channelling their emotions and experience into helping others. It is in helping others that we help ourselves, something every police officer can attest to.

“When loss is felt most profoundly, it is often the smallest of things that provide a glimmer of hope”

• The After Journal by Halani Foulsham. Halani suffered a terrible loss through suicide. This beautiful journal of healing can be used in any way that feels helpful or meaningful. It allows space for containment with prompts and pictures, as well as space for safe personal reflection.

• A single teabag – not for use as a teabag, but as a reminder to put the kettle on; to have a cuppa with supportive friends and loved ones. These moments of stillness and conversation are so important, but easily forgotten about. This gentle prompt symbolises connection and is included as a reminder to pause, breathe, and be held and supported.

• An anger ball – BAGS recognises that anger is a natural and often present aspect of grief. This small ball allows the expression of anger in a non-destructive way, hopefully relieving some of what may be being carried in the body

• A candle – to provide a small glimmer of light in the darkness.

• A book of help - this is a unique book in that it contains many of the charity’s founders’ stories, and others’ stories and experiences of suicide loss. The book comes with a trigger warning that the personal stories may be distressing for some people. However, the hope is this book may provide some comfort and support. But Angela, and her

Barney Thorne, Head of Mental Health Partnership & Operations, and Force Lead Suicide Prevention for Leicestershire Police said, “The BAGS for Strife are incredible. We’ve been extremely focused over the years in producing a specialist leaflet around suicide bereavement and getting a copy of help is at hand to families. The bags are a significant upgrade to this and help us to connect with families. I have noticed they are often overwhelmed that there is an organisation out there thinking of them, helping them and being there for them. We’ve received some really heartwarming feedback and we hope to use the bags on a permanent basis.”

Our members are most likely the ones that will be called upon to break the heart-wrenching news of loss to a family. It is so important for them to feel they have the adequate resources to leave with families. This means they can walk away knowing they have provided even the smallest source of comfort in the darkest of moments, instead of a feeling of inadequacy, or even failure.

Each suicide affects countless people beyond the immediate families, friends and loved ones. It even affects impacting those tasked with delivering the news. This is why BAGS for Strife is so important – the charity helps all those affected, whether directly or indirectly.

Once the devastating news of a suicide has been delivered, officers walk away

BAGS for Strife can help each police service when it has to bring shattering news. When loss is felt most profoundly and hearts seem to crack under its weight, it is often the smallest of things that provide a glimmer of hope. After all, it is the crack that lets in the light.

For more information, please go to: www.bagsforstrife.co.uk or email info@bagsforstrife.co.uk

BEATING THE HEAT

PFEW has launched a Heat Illness Prevention Policy, as climate change is causing hotter summers in England and Wales

The Police (Health & Safety) Act 1997 defines police officers as being “employees” and “at work” while on duty for the purposes of health and safety legislation. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) and the regulations made under it apply to all police service work activities. The primary duties under HSWA are on employers.

Since the 1997 Act, chief constables have been deemed the employers of police officers and therefore primarily responsible for complying with this legislation. A breach of any of these duties is potentially a civil and a criminal offence.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) recognises that officers will inevitably face significant and serious dangers in the course of their work. Health and safety legislation exists to provide protections for officers and the public. It is not designed to hinder the ability of police officers to deliver an effective emergency service. Likewise, the purpose of establishing the Heat Illness Prevention Policy is not to put barriers in place for policing activity, but to help keep officers safe who put themselves in harm’s way.

Heat illness is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It can affect police officers performing a range of operational duties and training. The purpose of the policy is to improve awareness and management of this risk, with the aim of eliminating injury and preventing deaths.

the risk of heat illness exists. Those taking part in an activity must know who their supervisor is.

communicated to relevant officers and complied with.

“The Heat Illness Prevention Policy will not put barriers in place for policing, but help keep officers safe who put themselves in harm’s way”

The policy lays down the following key elements, which are aimed at ensuring adequate support and mechanisms are in place to help safeguard officers:

1. A supervisor should be appointed to take responsibility for any activity where

The appointed supervisor must make sure that all those taking part in an activity are safe. That supervisor must make sure that:

a. Heat illness is considered when any activity is being planned.

b. Risk assessments are carried out and are approved before they are relied upon.

c. Controls to lower the risk are identified,

d. When an activity has been paused because symptoms of heat illness have been observed, a dynamic risk assessment is carried out and the activity does not start again until further controls have been put in place.

2. The risk of heat illness must be considered in the risk assessment for all police activities.

The risk assessment must as a minimum consider the following risk factors:

a. Clothing and equipment

b. Expected work rate

c. Working climate

d. Location

e. Individual risk factors

f. Education and training

g. Medical plan

h. Fluid requirements

3. The control measures in the risk assessment must be complied with. If the control measures in the risk assessment cannot be complied with, the super visor must pause or stop the activity. However, if the activity must still go ahead, the supervisor must consider applying additional control measures and, if required, elevate the risk through their management chain for approval.

The supervisor is responsible for reviewing and approving the risk assessment for the activity and must consider any extra control measures before approving the risk assessment. If any extra control measures are put in place, these must be recorded in line with step four of the five-step risk assessment process.

dynamically risk assessed, and further control measures must be applied.

b. The activity must only be restarted once further control measures have been applied with the approval of the supervisor.

c. All suspected and confirmed heat illness casualties must be reported and investigated in accordance with Health and Safety Legislation.

When heat illness is suspected, the activity must be paused. The supervisor must carry out a dynamic risk assessment and must put further control measures in place to prevent other cases of heat illness. These extra control measures must be recorded, in line with step five of the

illness cases must be reported in line with force and HSE Injury at Work reporting procedures and the responsibility for doing so rests with the supervisor. Suspected heat illness cases must be investigated to identify lessons that can be learnt.

5. Those involved in planning or undertaking activities, which involve the risk of heat illness, must receive suitable training.

6. PFEW will work with forces, the College of Policing and the NPCC to receive assurance that the content of this policy is complied with.

Assurance at different levels:

“Heat illness is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect police officers, whether on duty or in training”

Once the risk assessment has been approved by the supervisor, it must be followed.

If at any stage of the activity, including before it starts, the guidance in this policy cannot be followed or the controls in the risk assessment cannot be met, the responsible senior manager must assess the risk.

4. If heat illness symptoms are observed:

a. The activity must be paused,

five-step risk assessment process.

The activity can only start again once the actions from the dynamic risk assessment have been applied and the supervisor gives the approval for the activity to continue.

A local alert mechanism to inform others performing similar activities of heat illness should be part of the dynamic risk assessment process.

All suspected and confirmed heat

a. First-party assurance must be provided by those responsible for delivering the activity to reinforce the policy and make sure it is followed during the activity.

b. Second-party assurance must be provided by Chief Constables, separate from the assurance given by those responsible for delivering the activity.

c. Third-party assurance must be provided at College of Policing and NPCC that they support this policy as an effective way of safeguarding officers.

As part of their overall assurance activity, the supervisor, together with their senior manager, must make sure that this policy is being followed and put into practice effectively.

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

A former Met Police Officer has turned his life around and launched a vital support service for people struggling with addiction

Addictions can have devastating effects, but hope and support is available. Former Met Police Officer Nick Conn understands first-hand the challenges of addiction for people serving in the police force. Fortunately, he was able to turn his life around and has launched Help 4 Addiction, a warm and approachable organisation aimed at assisting those who are struggling with addictions.

But what led Nick down the path of addiction in the first place? He openly shares his struggles when he first started his career in the police force.

“During my training at Hendon, I faced the pressure of consistently achieving over 70% each week,” he recalls. “Having been away from studying for a while, I found it difficult to retain the information and would often fall asleep. I was failing my exams, and things were not going well.”

In an attempt to cope with his insecurities and low self-esteem, Nick turned to cocaine. He discovered that the drug provided an overwhelming sense of euphoria and confidence, which he had always sought. However, he managed to resist using it again until he found himself struggling in the police force while training at the Peel Centre.

surrounding addiction.”

Eventually, Nick’s addiction led him to leave the police force and become homeless in Berlin. He acknowledges that his situation could have been prevented much earlier. Thankfully, with the support of his parents, he went to rehab and has celebrated more than 14 years of sobriety from alcohol and cocaine.

Having received the help he desperately needed, Nick’s focus shifted to helping others in similar situations. He founded an organisation called Help 4 Addiction, which is entering its thirteenth year of operation. It has become the largest addiction advisory service in the country. He receives countless inquiries

No one sets out with the intention of becoming an addict. Pain and trauma are often underlying factors, particularly for police officers who witness distressing events. In high-stress situations, individuals may turn to substances to alter their emotional state. However, addiction affects not only the individual, but those around them.

“Pain and trauma are often underlying factors for addiction, particularly for police officers who witness distressing events”

from police officers in need.

As Nick faced challenges in keeping up with his training and studying, he resorted to using cocaine once more.

“Suddenly, cocaine became the solution to my struggles. It helped me retain information, and I excelled in my exams,” he says. “At that time, I was 19 years old, living with my family, without debts or obligations. Everything seemed great. However, as time passed, the debts piled up, loans became a burden and everything started to crumble.”

While working at Kentish Town, Nick realised the severity of his addiction, but felt unable to confide in anyone: “I couldn’t reach out to my Sergeant or my team. I was unable to seek help, due to the fear of judgement and the stigma

Nick believes there should be a comprehensive solution and greater support within organisations for those struggling with addiction: “When someone has a mental health issue or experiences abuse, they receive support. But when it comes to addiction resulting from these situations, there seems to be a lack of support.”

“Organisations should assume responsibility instead of simply dismissing individuals,” he further explains. “Changes are necessary within organisations, similar to the progress made in supporting mental health over the past few years. Fortunately, some police departments have already taken steps in the right direction.”

Help 4 Addiction aims to support not only the more than 145,000 officers, but their families too.

When it comes to the services offered by Help

4 Addiction, Nick emphasises that they provide various options based on individual needs. Some services come at a cost, but they offer free support and advice to guide individuals in the right direction. Highly experienced advisors, some of whom have personal experience with addiction, are available to speak with callers.

To ensure appropriate assistance, Help

4 Addiction assesses the situation, including the extent and type of substance use. If you require any support, visit www.Help4addiction.co.uk Please call 0330 058 8227 if you or a family member need help. This service is confidential and will not be reported back to the Police Federation.

HONOURING OUR HEROES

As ever, officers across England and Wales have performed incredible acts of bravery on a daily basis. Here are some of the heroes that we will recognise this year in July

Every day police officers across England and Wales do extraordinary work to protect lives and uphold the law without expecting praise or recognition.

On Thursday 13 July, we will be celebrating

PC Adam Elwood and his partner PD Howlin from Met 1

the incredible acts of courage carried out by 90 police officers from 36 police forces at our annual police bravery awards.

These awards would not be possible without the support of Police Mutual, who

have steadfastly sponsored the Police Bravery Awards for more than 10 years.

Here are some of the nominees who have exhibited selfless acts of valour in the line of duty.

AVON AND SOMERSET

A courageous police officer, with no protective equipment, ran into a burning block of flats and helped save two men hanging from their window on the 16th floor.

PC Justin Robbie was first on the scene and knew he had to act fast to help evacuate the occupants of the flats, who could be heard shouting for help.

Flames were coming out of the window on the 16th floor, and PC Robbie went into the building to evacuate residents and establish the exact location of the fire, so he could formulate a plan.

Upon hearing screams for help from two men hanging from the outside their flat window, PC Robbie looked out of the hallway window and saw large flames billowing out from their flat as they were holding on. Below them was a steep drop and they had nowhere else to go. Had they fallen, they would have died.

PC Robbie was joined by a fire officer, and they used bolt croppers to remove a grate that was covering a window on the landing on the floor below.

The window was made of several reinforced glass panes, which PC Robbie had to first smash using his baton, so the fire officer could kick out the rest of the glass and pull the men down to safety.

BEDFORDSHIRE

A detective sergeant made heroic attempts to save a suspect’s life and, in turn, he suffered life-changing burn injuries.

The detective sergeant, who wishes to remain anonymous, was leading a team of four officers attempting to arrest an individual suspected of committing three arson offences over the previous 24 hours.

At the individual’s home, which was on the top floor of a block of flats, the officer and his arrest team managed to engage with the occupant through the front door, without it being opened.

It soon became apparent the individual had lit a fire within the premises, as smoke was escaping from the letterbox.

Without hesitation, the detective sergeant requested one of his colleagues break down the front door and enter the property, only to be confronted with a pile of burning cardboard boxes.

As the officer attempted to extinguish the fire, the individual retreated further into his property before fatally falling from the balcony.

The fire within the flat intensified at speed and was soon burning floor-to-ceiling, suggesting the use of an accelerant.

The hallway was filled with flames, which blocked the only exit from the flat. In his efforts to escape he was engulfed in flames and emerged, to the horror of his colleagues overwhelmed by the fire.

Despite the severity of his condition and pain he was in, he ran door-to-door to raise the alarm for the other residents, doubtlessly saving further lives.

The officer is still receiving specialised burns treatment, including numerous operations and skin grafts.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Two detective constables rescued an inebriated woman from a burning car that had fallen into a deep roadside ditch.

DCs Craig Trevor and Lily Deacon were wearing plain clothes while travelling in an unmarked vehicle on the A605 to deal with a detainee. This was when they witnessed the driver of a car, approaching from the opposite direction at 70-80mph lose control of the vehicle and fall into a roadside ditch that was 15 feet deep.

During the crash, the car flipped and caught fire. It was now resting precariously on the edge of the ditch, which opened into a 100-meter fall on the side of the motorway. The officers entered the ditch and found that the woman was alone and trapped in the driver’s seat.

Pulling her to safety by the side of the motorway, the officers ensured there were no other injured occupants trapped in the engulfed car. The two officers placed themselves in harm’s way to save the driver.

CHESHIRE

An officer sergeant talked a young woman down from a roof of a building, which had a 30-foot drop onto a railway line.

Assessing and quickly taking command of the situation, PS Steven Munday ensured road closures were put in place, along with a request for the railway line’s power to be switched off and trains stopped.

While identifying the safest possible way to try and encourage her to get down from the roof to a position of safety, PS Munday spotted a set of ladders in the beer garden of the building.

At this point, PS Munday received information that she had slipped off the roof and was now hanging over the 30-foot drop above the railway line, holding onto the edge of the roof by her fingertips.

Recognising the severity of the situation, he ran into the building and obtained the ladders.

Without hesitation, he gained access to the top of the wall with the ladders, before walking along a narrow ledge with a sheer drop and gaining access to the flat roof.

PS Munday grabbed hold of the now-hysterical young woman by her upper arms. Using his own strength and body weight, he pulled her back from over the edge of the roof. At any time, he could have fallen.

She resisted and he grappled with her, but he managed to detain her safely on the narrow roof, which was approximately six feet wide, pulling her as far away from the edge as possible.

Once she was safely detained, other officers and emergency services assisted and brought her down.

CLEVELAND

Four officers faced a frenzied and sustained attack before arresting an intoxicated violent criminal.

A call was received from a Middlesbrough hotel after midnight. Loud bangs were reported to be coming from one of its rooms, with an intoxicated man shouting at a woman who was believed to be pregnant.

PC Mark Insull and another colleague, who wishes to remain unnamed, attended the scene and were told by the woman that the man had not assaulted her, but had damaged hotel furniture.

The man pushed PC Insull and challenged him to arrest him. The officer used his PAVA spray, but it had little effect on the male, who then knocked PC Insull to the floor, throwing punches at his head and face, which caused injuries and bleeding.

PC Insull’s colleague then struck the male with her baton, but this had no effect. The male pushed her and continued to assault PC Insull. Despite the injuries inflicted, PC Insull pursued the male, who continued to deliver heavy blows to his body.

At this point, PCs Daniel Rooker and Chloe Bradley arrived on the scene, but their warnings failed to pacify the male. PC Rooker then used his Taser, which only had a momentary effect on the male, who pulled out the Taser barb and threw numerous punches at PC Rooker, causing ligament damage to the officer’s hand and arm.

Eventually, the officers managed to restrain and handcuff the violent offender.

DERBYSHIRE

An officer tactically talked to a man who had choked her colleague unconscious in a vicious assault.

PC Laura Nicholson prevented PC Adam Podam from suffering severe injuries, after they were attacked by two violent offenders at a house in Tibshelf.

The officers were called to a domestic incident and confronted by a man and his son, who were immediately aggressive.

The son hit PC Podam in the face with a motorbike helmet, and then he was taken to the floor by the father and choked unconscious.

PC Nicholson used her PAVA incapacitant spray to repel the son and activated her emergency assistance call as she went to help her colleague.

However, she was unable to restrain the offender and realised she couldn’t match the his physical strength. As the incapacitant spray had not affected him, she changed her tactics by talking in a calming way and distracting the male who had been threatening to hospitalise the officers. PC Podam was unconscious by this point.

PC Nicholson continued with this tactic, displaying excellent communication and having a positive effect on calming him down. Eventually, she convinced him to release PC Podam, allowing enough time for assistance to arrive.

DEVON & CORNWALL

Two officers were stabbed multiple times in a frenzied attack and have since undergone multiple surgeries.

Attending to a report of a wanted high-risk male in possession of razor blades, PCs Tim Willett and Darren Brimacombe, who knew of the suspect from their previous work, found him drinking in the driver’s seat of a car.

Without warning, the male swung at the officers with a knife, narrowly missing PC Willett.

He then rushed out of the car and attacked PC Brimacombe, repeatedly stabbing him.

The officer suffered lacerations to his scalp and his left eyelid, which were just millimetres away from damaging his eye. The end of his nose was nearly cut off.

The knife was then plunged into PC Brimacombe’s arm, causing a significant arterial bleed.

PC Willett wrestled him off his injured colleague, but was stabbed in the forearm and his fingers were sliced as he pulled the blade from his grasp.

PC Willett deployed his Taser to subdue the male, so PC Brimacombe could apply handcuffs and detain him.

PC Brimacombe’s arm was bleeding so heavily, he tried applying his tourniquet, but there was so much blood, so he couldn’t keep hold of it and it dropped on the floor.

PC Willett took his tourniquet and applied it for him, but he couldn’t tighten it as his fingers had been so badly cut. They then activated the emergency buttons on their radios to request immediate help.

Fortunately, a double-crewed armed response vehicle, some 50 miles away, had been monitoring the radio transmissions and arrived shortly afterwards to render first aid and further assistance to the two severely injured officers.

DORSET

Two police officers apprehended a man carrying bladed weapons, despite being repeatedly sprayed in the face with homemade pepper spray.

Sergeants Luke Sands and Jen Hussey were deployed, following reports of a male trying to start fires.

PS Hussey engaged with the man who, without warning, pulled out a bottle and sprayed her several times in the face. This caused PS Hussey to recoil with shock, discomfort and fear.

PS Sands feared the worst. Knowing how damaging such attacks could be, he immediately drew his Taser to stop the male and protect PS Hussey.

The male failed to comply with the directions of PS Sands, who then discharged his Taser. However, it was ineffective, and the male was able to break the barb and escape.

Both officers chased and caught up to him. Still suffering the effects of the homemade pepper spray, PS Hussey challenged the male again. He sprayed her in the face for a second time.

PS Sands discharged his Taser again so they could arrest the suspect, but he remained unaffected.

Despite being sprayed several times in the face with the noxious substance, PS Hussey continued to pursue the male on foot before shooting the male in the back of the legs with her Taser. Thankfully, this had an immediate effect, and they were able to arrest him.

Upon searching the male, the perpetrator was found wearing protective body armour and padding. He was also in possession of several bladed articles, as well as the bottles of homemade pepper spray.

GMP

PC Paul Spinks diffused a dangerous situation and subdued a wanted male who was wielding a machete.

While driving when off duty, PC Spinks saw a male walking along the street waving a lethal weapon at members of the public.

The officer knew there was a school nearby where the male was headed, and the area would be busy with pupils and parents at school drop-off time.

After informing the police control room, PC Spinks felt compelled to act as the male was threatening members of the public.

Without regard for his safety, with no personal protective equipment, and not knowing how long he would have to wait for backup, PC Spinks approached the male to diffuse the situation. He identified himself as a police officer and tried to calm down the male, but it became apparent he needed to detain him to prevent harm to nearby people.

Putting himself in harm’s way, he confronted the male and, after a struggle, managed to disarm him without getting injured and continued to restrain him until backup arrived.

HAMPSHIRE

A trio of officers expertly handled a complex situation involving a quickspreading fire and a knife-wielding man.

Attending a call on 24 June last year, PCs Robert Davies, James Pawley and James Langmead had to force entry to a two-storey house from which screaming could be heard. They discovered the staircase blocked, an upstairs bedroom had been set alight and, in the adjoining bedroom, a man was holding a knife to a woman’s throat with her young children on the bed in front of her.

The immediate threat to the lives of the woman and her children was compounded by thick black smoke coming from the items in the next bedroom being set alight.

PC Pawley was assisted by PC Langmead as they dealt with the fire. PC Pawley took charge of the situation and issued instructions to clear the stairs, break open windows and prepare for burning items.

In the room next door, PC Davies remained calm and engaged with the armed male while the entire floor of the property filled with black smoke. The male was not following instructions and continued to hold the knife to the woman’s throat.

PCs Davies, Langmead and Pawley rushed to the male to disarm him and save the woman and children. In the melee that followed, PC Pawley was stabbed in the hand.

Despite his injury, PC Pawley continued to command the scene, giving clear instructions to his colleagues. The individual was restrained, arrested and removed from the danger of the confined house.

HERTFORDSHIRE

A pair of officers faced extreme threat and violence from an individual armed with a large kitchen knife. The individual was subsequently charged with attempted murder.

On Sunday 16 October, PC Mercedes Newman and PC Tristian Morrison attended a call from a member of the public who reported

an individual with a knife. The police were requested to attend his location, where he had said there had been a murder.

Upon arrival at the scene, the individual had retreated to a secluded car park. On being approached by PC Newman, he pulled a large knife from his pocket and held the knife to his throat.

PC Newman drew her Taser and instructed the individual to drop the weapon. In an instant, he became extremely aggressive, rushing PC Newman with the knife raised above his head and attempting to stab and slash at PC Newman’s face and upper body.

The Taser was deployed, but it had no effect, owing to the layers of clothing the individual was wearing.

PC Morrison grabbed and pulled PC Newman backwards when the individual raised his knife, quite possibly saving her from injury.

At this point, PC Morrison shouted for PC Newman to run, but neither officer fled. With a baton and PAVA spray, the individual was disarmed. He then fled the scene. While PC Newman recovered the weapon, PC Morrison gave chase on foot.

The suspect kept one hand in his pocket, giving the impression he was still armed. As he ran, PC Morrison kept the public safe, giving clear instructions for them to make way and gave a commentary over his radio. This enabled other officers to arrive on scene as quickly as possible.

LANCASHIRE

Five officers jumped into a river to do everything they could to save a woman, who had tried to take her own life.

On 21 July last year, police received a call from a distressed male stating his mother had just ended her life.

Her body was now in the river and upon arrival, the officers were confronted with a difficult situation. After they made their way through grassland, there was a high wall with a 10-foot drop on the other side into the river.

PCs Stinchon and Gregson climbed over the wall and dropped into the river, wading over immediately to the male. They moved the woman across to the other side of the river where it was much shallower, so she could be laid above the water for them to commence CPR as she was unresponsive and not breathing.

PCs Katherine Maxwell and Mike McMahon arrived on the scene shortly after. They climbed over the wall into the river, bringing extensive first aid equipment carried

by the armed response officers. Both PC Maxwell and PC McMahon assisted with providing first aid and CPR to the victim.

PC Vanessa Fowler then arrived on scene and entered the water further assisting in the administration of CPR before other emergency service workers arrived to support the rescue efforts.

After performing CPR for 13 minutes, her pulse was obtained, but she was not breathing at this time. Sadly, she passed away in the hospital several days later, but was given every chance to survive thanks to the phenomenal effort, courage, bravery and professionalism shown by all the officers.

LEICESTERSHIRE

An extremely violent situation could have been fatal for a member of the public, had to not been for the courage and swift action of two officers who intervened. PC George Proctor and PC Ethan Lang were called to Saffron Lane in Leicestershire on the morning of 23 August 2021. The offender, Callum McDermott, was attempting to stop moving vehicles and stood in front of a bus.

A taxi driver, Mr Jazoomy, who had his vehicle kicked by Mr McDermott, had pulled over in an attempt to diffuse the situation. However, he was rounded on by the offender, who punched him eight times and kicked him 24 times in the head, knocking him to the ground.

Two civilians intervened to diffuse the situation and tried to prevent further harm to Mr Jazoomy.

On arrival, the officers were alerted about the location of the offender and the extensive injuries inflicted.

Realising the perpetrator was violent, both officers approached him to restrict his movement. This led Mr McDermott to assault PC Lang while he was attempting to apply handcuffs.

The perpetrator punched PC Proctor in the face, fracturing his nose, when he came to assist PC Lang. PC Proctor was later diagnosed with a bruised retina as a result of the assault.

This gave enough time for Mr McDermott to break free. As PC Proctor was unable to chase because of his severe injuries, PC Lang initiated pursuit to stall and successfully arrest Mr McDermott.

MERSEYSIDE

A pair of police officers sustained injuries in a hit-and-run as they did everything they could to stop suspects in their tracks.

On 17 May 2022, PCs Dan Parr and Steph Catterall attended a callout. A member of the public had witnessed two males acting suspiciously and discarding a bag nearby.

After an area search, a vehicle matching the description was identified by the officers and stopped.

PC Parr and PC Catterall spoke to the occupants who were

evading questions. As the officers were attempting to search the vehicle, the driver accelerated and began to drive off.

PC Parr attempted to prevent this, but was dragged along by the vehicle and pulled underneath the wheelbase causing serious injury. He suffered a broken wrist, dislocated shoulder, and soft tissue damage to his leg, leaving him in excruciating pain. PC Catterall sustained injuries to her shoulder in the incident.

PC Catterall gave immediate first aid to PC Parr while providing clear communications through her radio as to what had occurred. This allowed colleagues to attend swiftly to assist the injured officer, preserve evidence, and apprehend the offenders.

The vehicle was located a short distance away, and the two

offenders were detained and arrested for various offences.

In his victim impact statement, PC Parr described feeling his head banging on the floor and the van being driven over his legs, leaving him fearful he would never walk again.

He was taken to hospital where he was operated on for a dislocated right shoulder. Fortunately, his legs were not broken.

MET 1

A police officer and their dog chased down a group of extremely dangerous men, even after a gun was pointed at them.

On 30 November 2020, PC Adam Elwood and his partner PD Howlin were on night shift duty, searching for a vehicle that had been sought by police after pinging multiple ANPR cameras.

They were headed to the scene of a stabbing when they

identified the vehicle they were searching for, coming from the direction of the crime scene.

They followed the vehicle for a distance before it made off at speed and a high-speed pursuit took place.

The vehicle turned in to a dead end on a housing estate where it crashed. Four males exited the vehicle and ran.

PC Elwood, with his police dog, PD Cruz, jumped out of the van and ran in pursuit, at which point one male turned and pointed a handgun at PC Elwood.

PC Elwood recalled PD Cruz, before making a split-second decision to continue the chase despite the very clear threat made to him.

The four individuals split up, though PC Elwood continued his pursuit of one of them, who climbed onto the roof of a car to try and evade PD Cruz. The suspect was then detained and arrested.

MET 2

An officer seized a split-second opportunity to apprehend an armed suspect, when he found himself looking down the barrel of a gun.

On 4 February 2022, during a routine patrol of the outer circle of Regent’s Park, PC Andrew Cushing’s attention, and that of his partner PC Mark Palin, was drawn to a vehicle driving erratically in the opposite direction. They turned their motorcycles and attempted to stop the vehicle, which then took off at speed.

After a short pursuit, the vehicle was lost, and the two officers split up to search the side streets.

PC Cushing discovered the vehicle and gave chase once more, but soon terminated his pursuit when the car was driven

on the wrong side of the road and became a significant threat to the public.

The crashed vehicle was discovered minutes later. As the suspect exited the vehicle, he attempted to make off on foot.

PC Cushing tried to stop the suspect. With no effect from the Taser, a struggle ensued, during which the suspect pulled a gun and pointed it straight in PC Cushing’s face.

Still without his partner, PC Cushing was faced with an armed suspect and no cartridges in his Taser.

He was alone and had to think quickly, so when the suspect slightly lowered his weapon, PC Cushing took the chance to strike him and disarm him.

PC Cushing eventually overpowered him and got the suspect to the floor, at which point PC Palin arrived on the scene and helped with the arrest.

It was only once officers from the Specialist Firearms Command arrived on the scene that it was established the suspect had been armed with an imitation firearm.

MET 3

An off-duty officer, who did not have the protection of a stab vest, single-handedly apprehended a person suspected of robbing his son at knifepoint. He did this while professionally reassuring concerned onlookers.

PC Gareth Griffin of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Unit was off duty when he received a distressing call from his son, who told him that he and his friend had just been robbed at knifepoint.

Arriving at the location, PC Griffin, after a brief search of the area, was able to identify the suspect who had fled the

scene on a bicycle.

PC Griffin apprehended the suspect and detained him until on-duty officers arrived on the scene. While waiting for their arrival, a crowd gathered and began questioning PC Griffin’s behaviour towards a minor, because they did not realise he was an off-duty officer.

He instructed his son to call 999 and directed his son’s friend to retrieve his warrant card and show it to those gathering, who had started to film the event.

PC Griffin explained the suspect was suspected of committing a robbery, had been armed with a knife moments earlier, and was being detained for arrest, once other officers arrived on the scene.

PC Griffin demonstrated great calmness in not escalating the situation as a concerned and, at times, hostile group of people gathered.

He identified, apprehended and detained a suspect who was, despite his young age, apparently armed and had allegedly committed a knife-point mugging in broad daylight on the streets of Bromley.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

A PC risked his life to rescue a distressed girl and assist two members of the public at Nene Wetlands.

On 16 June 2022, the police received a call that a girl had become lost while walking with her mother.

As the incident developed, it was further reported that two members of the public heard the girl’s calls for help from the water, which borders the popular shopping park, Rushden Lakes, inside the wetlands.

Despite the risks, the two members of the public had entered the water and were wading to locate the lost girl.

There were now three people at risk in the water, with one of the friends of the rescuers speculating to the police that they might be dead.

A team of officers, including the PC, attended the scene and were given standard instructions not to enter the water, owing to the risks. They were advised to wait for the arrival of specialist 999 services

However, the PC, who wishes to remain anonymous, decided to take action and wade into the water after conducting a risk assessment based on the immediate danger faced by the three people.

Swimming over as quickly as possible, he was soon able to determine they were located on a firm but remote bank. He remained there to reassure them, while other officers crawled through the undergrowth from the other side to rescue them from land.

Undoubtedly, the PC and the two members of the public took a life-threatening risk to protect a girl in distress.

NORTHUMBRIA

A pair of police officers were mauled by a suspect’s dog in a relentless attack.

PCs Joshua Williams and Emma Gray were responding to a report of a domestic incident in Blyth last January in the early hours.

Upon arrival, Sean Bell called upon his large Staffordshire bull terrier, ordering it to “get them”. The dog ferociously attacked PC Gray and PC Williams, causing multiple puncture

wounds and lacerations.

The 37-year-old rained down punches on the officers as they tried to place him in handcuffs, all while continuing to encourage his dog to attack them.

Maintaining their hold on the assailant, the officers made efforts to fend off the attack by kicking the dog away, but the attack was relentless.

Despite the significant injuries they continued to receive, the officers persevered and eventually managed to arrest Bell with help from backup, while the dog was detained by members of the force’s dog unit.

PCs Williams and Gray attended the hospital and were required to have tetanus shots.

PC Gray was prescribed morphine for her injuries and has lasting nerve damage as a result of the ordeal.

Both officers continue to be supported, owing to the traumatic nature of the attack.

NORTH WALES

An off-duty officer has been hailed a Happy Valley hero after tackling a knife-wielding man in a supermarket.

The store manager called PC Catherine Parry, who has been in the force for 20 years. She is known as “the real Cathy from Happy Valley” – after the lead character from the iconic BBC television series – for displaying outstanding courage in protecting shoppers and subduing the offender.

PC Parry was shopping in Oswestry Sainsbury’s in the neighbouring West Mercia force area when the man entered the supermarket with a knife. He was experiencing a mental health crisis.

She had just paid for her shopping and was waiting for her mother-in-law when the incident unfolded. The initial sign that something was happening was a visibly shaken female cashier. PC Parry then she saw the man aggressively waving a large knife and shouting that he was going to kill people.

Identifying herself as a police officer, she told him to put the knife down. But the man continued to scream and went behind the cigarette counter, where he repeatedly stabbed the till so hard that the blade broke.

She kept the man inside the supermarket until West Mercia Police officers arrived to support her and tackle the man to the ground, by which time the store had been evacuated.

NORTH YORKSHIRE

A pair of compassionate officers helped bring a vulnerable woman safely down from a railway bridge.

Police received a report of a distressed female on the wrong side of a railway bridge in Harrogate.

PCSO Nichola Shearing recognised the location and was in proximity, so she attended the incident, owing to the threat to human life.

PC Patel

Believing the female was about to jump in front of an oncoming train, PCSO Shearing held onto her with all her strength to prevent her from dropping some distance below onto the track.

Getting assistance from a member of the public, Nichola was able to hold on to the distressed woman and radio an update requesting immediate assistance from response officers.

Next on the scene was PC Joshua Snaith who, without hesitation, climbed onto the bridge ledge while Nichola and the member of the public held on to the woman. They pulled her over the edge and onto the right side of the bridge.

PCSO Shearing and PC Snaith demonstrated exceptional care and compassion in dealing with the distressed woman, explaining what they were doing, explaining any use of force, and taking steps to minimise the use of force where possible.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Two officers, Sergeant Daniel Griffin and PC Amy Pannell, apprehended an enraged knifeman who stabbed one of them multiple times.

While on patrol, the officers spotted two males acting suspiciously around a black Range Rover.

Initial attempts to detain the individuals for a search were met with extreme verbal abuse. A tense situation was escalated with speed by the verbal and physical threats from one of the individuals, now known to be Kai Green.

Suddenly, he pulled a knife from the pocket of his tracksuit bottoms and threatened to attack Sgt Griffin, ignoring all calls to drop the knife.

Sgt Griffin’s use of his PAVA incapacitant spray failed because Green shielded his face with the hood of his clothing and turned his back.

The action only enraged Green further, and he faced Sgt Griffin with the knife, rapidly closing the space between the two.

PC Pannell, who was still a student officer at the time, was close to Green at this point, trying to pre-empt any attack and calm the situation.

Sgt Griffin tried to create as much space as possible by running a short distance up the street. However, Green caught up with Sgt Griffin and stabbed him twice in the buttock as he turned to face and tackle his assailant.

Green then stabbed Sgt Griffin two more times, piercing his body armour. Fortunately, Sgt Griffin’s body armour stopped the blade from penetrating his chest.

At this point, Sgt Griffin was able to deploy his PAVA spray to full effect, given his proximity to Green. Despite being in extreme pain and bleeding heavily, he was able to tackle Green to the ground.

He was immediately assisted by PC Pannell who, ignoring the danger and at great risk to herself, chased Green as he hunted down Sgt Griffin.

She subdued Green, pinning his legs down while he remained uncuffed until further assistance arrived.

SUFFOLK

Two police officers averted a suspected armed robbery at a betting shop.

PCs Craig Cullen and Ryan Butters have been praised for their actions in arresting the suspect, who had threatened the shop’s staff with what appeared to be a revolver.

The attacker threatened staff at the Coral bookmakers in King Street, Sudbury, at around 3.15pm on 8 June 2022.

He brandished the weapon in the face of the cashiers and asked “if they wished to die”, while demanding they gave him money from the tills.

Shortly afterwards, the two officers found him waving around what appeared to be a silver revolver in a busy town centre street.

Acting without any thought for their safety, the officers got out of their van and detained the suspect.

A firearms expert who later examined the weapon described it as having the appearance of a real firearm, and havng the same colour and dimensions as a real revolver.

SURREY

An officer went above and beyond his duties when he saved a man from a burning building in August 2022.

An off-duty summer evening at home with his family took a dramatic turn when the officer noticed smoke coming from a neighbour’s house.

As he shouted for his partner to call the fire brigade, and without pausing to put his shoes on, he ran to the property. He found the front door locked, but was able to hear the groans of an occupant inside.

Forcing the door open, the officer was confronted with thick black smoke, which he was unable to see through. But that did not stop him entering the property and pulling his neighbour out, undoubtedly saving his life.

He checked there was no one else present and stayed with his neighbour until the fire and ambulance services arrived on the scene.

SUSSEX

A pair of officers disarmed a dangerous individual threatening hospital staff with a knife.

PC Matt Dodd and PC Amy Hanley attended St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, on 4 April 2022, when they became aware of a person who was armed with a large knife and endangering hospital staff.

Hospital security staff had initially attempted to contain the situation, trying to calm the individual and engage them in conversation.

When officers got to the A&E department, they were confronted by the person pointing a knife and making threats, posing a considerable risk to the safety of the NHS staff and members of the public.

Immediately recognising the significant risk, the officers bravely stepped forward, putting themselves between the public and the individual, to prevent anyone from being injured and any harm being caused.

Consequently, the officers utilised personal safety equipment effectively, ensured the safe detention and arrest of the individual, and the successful recovery of the knife.

WARWICKSHIRE

A team of officers helped save a man who had locked himself inside his house and doused himself in petrol.

On 17 September last year, a call was made to police from a male stating he had poured the flammable liquid over his body and was intending to harm himself.

PCs Hollie Dewar, Lauren De Lancey and Max Jordan and Temporary Sergeant Gareth Crandon were deployed to the scene. The officers had little information about the occupants at the address, because they had only moved there recently from abroad.

The man declined to give them details of his location and control room staff had to quickly identify where to send the officers.

Upon arrival, the officers used their communication skills to locate his family and try and help the man who had locked himself in his garage.

At this point the situation escalated and the officers could hear a lighter clicking.

Concerned for his safety and his family’s, officers broke into the property before negotiators arrived to calmly talk the vulnerable man down.

With officers now face-to-face with the man, he poured more fuel over himself and began to click the lighter.

The negotiators and accompanying officers were withdrawn and the plan to enter with the Fire and Rescue Service was put in motion with paramedics on standby.

Covered in petrol and still holding the lighter, the fire crew doused him in water, and he was restrained by officers safely and detained.

WEST MERCIA

An officer jumped into a fast-flowing river and saved a man’s life, with no regard for his own.

PC Chris Rogers, while guarding a scene at Greyfriars Bridge, Herefordshire, on 21 June last year, saw a man jump into the river from a 25-metre high bridge before landing face down. The male appeared to be unconscious in the water.

dragged him onto the riverbank where he commenced chest compressions and urgent CPR.

By this point, backup had arrived and assisted with the administration of further first aid until medical professionals arrived.

The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance. Despite the height of the fall and the fact he was unresponsive, all he suffered were facial injuries.

He made a full recovery thanks to the efforts of PC Rogers, whose decisive actions and courage saved a life.

WEST YORKSHIRE

An off-duty officer detained two knife-wielding suspects who were heading to an organised street brawl.

PC Aynsley Ward was at a restaurant with her family last year on 28 April in Shipley, West Yorkshire.

She saw two young males walking past, brandishing large kitchen knives, and called 999 to report the situation.

Wanting to take them off the streets as quickly as possible, PC Ward followed the suspects and before she knew it , she was face-to-face with one of them.

With no personal protective equipment, she skilfully restrained him before removing the bladed weapon from his possession.

While doing so, the second suspect confronted her, but the outnumbered officer swiftly managed to detain him with the assistance of a member of the public.

PC Ward removed another large knife from their possession and kept the situation under control until uniformed officers arrived.

Had she not done this, the officers in attendance would have been significantly outnumbered, owing to a volatile crowd that was gathering. There were approximately 15 people present, who had gathered for an organised fight.

Instead of going back to her family meal, PC Ward attended the local police station, completed a thorough statement, and uploaded mobile phone footage of the incident.

The river was fast-flowing and murky and he had no idea of the hazards and debris under the water, but time was critical as hypothermia was setting in rapidly.

Without hesitation, PC Rogers selflessly decided to enter the icy water and wade over to administer urgent first aid.

Using all his strength, he lifted the man from the river and

PC Matt Dodd of Sussex Police

THE JUDGES’ PANEL

Bryn is a retired prison officer with 25 years’ service, and the father of PC Nicola Hughes, who was murdered in Manchester in 2012 while on duty, alongside her colleague Fiona Bone.

Bryn is a recipient of the Long Service & Good Conduct medal with most of his service in the High-Security Prisons Group (HSPG). During the last 10 years of his service, he was an operations manager tasked with the Exceptional Risk Unit in the HSPG.

Bryn retired early and now works with the Ministry of Justice as a member of the Victims’ Panel. In 2014, he established a charity in memory of Nicola, which provides practical help and support to children of murder victims. His initiative was recognised in the New Year Honours List 2023 and was conferred MBE.

Bryn launched a campaign alongside the PFEW and prison staff associations calling for the Government to institute Medals for Heroes, a posthumous award recognising emergency service personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

He lives in Marsden near Manchester and enjoys running marathons in his spare time.

Penny is best known as a panellist for the hit ITV lunchtime show Loose Women. After appearing on Channel 4’s Famous and Fighting Crime 2019, she volunteered to become a special constable. She joined the City of London Police after completing training in April 2021, and was on duty

during the Queen’s funeral last year and at the King’s Coronation.

Penny was one of the 14 celebrities to take part in the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 and was a quarter-finalist on BBC’s Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.

She is married to rock singer Sir Rod Stewart and they have two sons, Alastair, 18, and Aiden, 12.

TIFF LYNCH, Deputy National Chair, PFEW

Tiff joined Leicestershire Police in 1995 and was the youngest in the force at the age of 19. Throughout her policing career, she has specialised in firearms, tactical support, and frontline as a general response and beat officer.

Her Federation career started in 2007 with progression to the post of Chair of Leicestershire’s Constables Committee (2011-2014); the first female Chair of Leicestershire Police Federation (2014-2018); and National Board member of the Police Federation of England and Wales (2018-present).

KERRY MCMAHONWHITE, Head of Partnership, Police Mutual

Kerry has worked for Police Mutual for eight years. Kerry leads and provides strategic guidance to Police & Forces Mutual to ensure the business achieves its purpose and objectives.

As well as the overall leadership of both brands, her role includes the management of relationships with the police forces and the Federation. She is supported by a team of relationship managers and field-

based educators who spend their time delivering key services to police officers and staff. These include financial education, health, wellbeing, and mental health services, as well as offering respite support.

Kerry and her team support police officers attending major events. They provided wellbeing services at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Kerry is honoured to be a member of the judging panel for the National Police Bravery Awards, supporting the officers who go above and beyond their call of duty, by sponsoring the awards.

VERNAL SCOTT, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Essex Police

Vernal is a charismatic and deeply passionate diversity and inclusion public servant of more than four decades. In the mid-80s he launched the People’s (multicultural) Group at the London Lesbian & Gay Centre and later founded the Black Communities AIDS Team. In 1987, he was appointed Head of HIV services for Brent Council, and in 2003 he joined Islington Council as Head of Equality and Diversity.

In 2017, Vernal joined Havering Council as their equality lead, and in June 2020, during the worldwide BLM protests which followed the murder of George Floyd by a serving US police officer, Vernal was appointed to his current role at Essex Police. His uplifting “Support the Blue!” tweets won him thousands of mostly law enforcement followers.

His timely arrival in policing adds to his fascinating career footprint. He is rightly acknowledged on respective UK Black and LGBTQ History websites and appears as himself in Addicted to Love, an extensive television biopic on the tragic life of music superstar Whitney Houston.

BRYN HUGHES, Medals for Heroes campaigner

PENNY LANCASTER, Model, photographer, and television personality

Read our special UK edition of a children’s book called The Wolf Was Not Sleeping, written by Avril McDonald and illustrated by Tatiana Minina. This book is a heartwarming bedtime story specially written to soothe the anxiety of children whose parents work as first responders and to help initiate conversations about working in policing.

Police Care UK is a national charity which supports members of the police family who have been harmed as a result of policing, including the children of officers and staff. We understand that some children of police families may feel anxious when their parents are at work and we want to help allay those concerns. The book also reinforces the pride felt by having a first responder in the family and helps strengthen the connections between our families and the teams we work with.

Wolfgang’s dad works as a helper: when the wolves sound the alarm, he has to leave to help the other creatures in the forest. Each night Wolfgang worries about what might happen if his dad gets the call. His worries are so bad that they keep him awake, and he is falling asleep in the daytime instead! Big Dad Wolf realises he needs to sit down with Wolfgang to reassure him, and tell him about what happens when he goes to help in the forest. Wolfgang learns that things aren’t always as bad as they seem.There are lots of ways in which we can tell or show people how we are feeling.

“It’s a lovely book that helps to initiate conversations with your children about how they feel when you put on that uniform and go to work. Even my 9yr old loved the book. My children particularly enjoyed meeting the team in the book.”

The Wolf Was Not Sleeping is a great bedtime read for young children whose parents work within UK policing. Get your copy at www.policecare.org.uk and watch our free video narration of the book.

BLUE LIGHT APP SPRINGS INTO ACTION

A Hampshire detective chief superintendent has collaborated in a unique new project that will see the development of a smartphone app focused on mental health for police officers

Public service workers’ unions and federations are highlighting workplace mental health. Studies show that employee mental health is adversely affected by abuse within the public sector, long hours, and the cost-of-living crisis.

Detective Chief Superintendent and Strategic Domestic Abuse Lead Fiona Bitters has worked with Bournemouth University on a new app for Hampshire employees and officers, which has been designed and tested by staff. It provides a portable wellbeing toolkit, giving officers accessible tech on the go.

The app centres on shift work with a bespoke shift pattern function, which Fiona says was the most difficult feature to develop. This function allows officers to input individual patterns, so notifications are personalised.

An hour before their shift finishes, the app sends push notifications, prompting officers to read wellbeing messages or providing links relevant to their shift. On rest days, the app will do the same around 5pm. Two research papers have been written on the effectiveness and need for the app, based on officer feedback on dealing with difficult shifts.

Hampshire Police and Bournemouth University hope to expand the app out across forces, with new features based on officer responses to stress that signpost services and mindfulness practices.

Hampshire has 200 wellbeing champions who have been testing the app. The force plans a soft launch this year with a QR code, so officers can use

the app to manage shifts.

Fiona said: “We had a workforce that was working through the night in high areas of response and demand, such as the control room and response and patrol.

“These are the staff who work 24-hour shift patterns led by the radio and calls coming in – they lack the ability to rest, recover or exercise, or can’t always manage a good nutrition routine out of hours – this impacts mental health, they sit in the car, they don’t prep healthy food.”

The app gives recipe tips, and nudges

“This function allows officers to input individual patterns, so notifications are personalised”

officers before they finish their shift about how to rest and sleep well, with tailored messaging.

Currently, the app is only available to Hampshire officers. The force has selffunded alongside Bournemouth University. The process began in 2019, identifying five key areas: mental health, activity information, diet, hydration and sleep.

Fiona said: “There are different apps and watches, but none of them seem to consider that people are awake at 3am. That was the key thing we took away from this to help staff get through 24hour shift patterns.

“The app replicates the wellbeing offers on our internal website, but available on

your personal device – if it’s on the work phone, it’s for work, not rest days. We specifically avoided making this an app on police devices. We don’t want staff to access their work phone when off duty.

“We’ve finally cracked the bespoke shift patterns. They can see their shifts five years in advance with the ability to add training, and annual leave.

“Hampshire can see opportunities for other forces across the country. We have a match-funded PhD with Bournemouth University. A student will start in September and they will build, test and research how this app will benefit blue light services.

“If other forces are interested, we can build and test it widely. App content is currently tailored to Hampshire officers and events.

“We would look at a licencing model. If another force is interested, we can work out the development cost and how they can become involved in testing and research.”

Resilience in the service is at an alltime low and officers are under extreme pressure, which is taking its toll on health and wellbeing. Other Federation mental health projects recognise that the job’s unique pressures may require additional support.

The launch of a Welfare Support Programme (WSP) has been hailed by two Derbyshire officers as “absolutely brilliant”. See page 13 for more details.

BEST JOB IN THE WORLD

In a wide-ranging discussion, Steve Hartshorn talks to Gavin Stephens about pay, police budgets, the Casey Review, and why he loves policing as much today as when he joined the force thirty years ago

Steve Hartshorn (SH): It’s accepted that we all want the very best for our police officers and that the work of the NPCC, PFEW, PSA and CPOSA are all going in the same direction, albeit via a different path. Can you assure our members that the work of national and local Federation reps is valued by all in the NPCC, and that they won’t be disadvantaged by being a critical friend?

uncomfortable truths sometimes when we least want to hear them, so the critical friendship of Federation Representatives is so important. I will be a strong advocate

of certainty. What do you think of the current funding process?

“I’m doing my best to talk to anyone that will listen about the need for a long-term workforce plan that also includes our police staff colleagues and volunteers”

Gavin Stephens (GS): Friendship in policing is one of the most valuable benefits we have. Friends are there to support us in times of need, celebrate success, or just find a clean mug when we put the kettle on! The best friends tell us

for this type of friendship and will support PFEW if there is ever any suggestion of being disadvantaged.

SH: PFEW has called for a five-year funding settlement from Government to allow chief officers to plan with a degree

GS: In NPCC we have recently completed a survey of forces to assess the financial stress and have regular discussions with central government colleagues to share the results. Although the headlines on police funding are positive, with significant investment in replacing officers lost during the years of austerity, the underlying trends are worrying. Local forces no longer receive any capital grants for investment in buildings and major equipment, and the budget pressures through inflation are being most acutely felt through reductions in our police

staff colleagues. We need a longer term, independent approach to pay settlements and to budgeting. The police funding formula also needs reform, especially as there is now a very large disparity and variation between forces on the level of central grant from the Home Office, and local taxation through the Police and Crime Commissioners.

SH: What is the NPCC position on PCCs and do you think that they are maintainable in their current form given the budget required for their combined offices is north of £100m since 2019?

GS: The governance of policing is a matter for Parliament. What is important is that we maintain our operational independence. I have experienced work with the previous Police Authority arrangements, and with three different Police and Crime Commissioners in my time as a chief officer. I’ve also worked alongside a number of PCCs in my national work. There are pros and cons to all approaches, and I’m sure PCCs will also have a view on how well we work together as chief officers and the costs of that too! I don’t think there is a perfect solution, but there is a review of PCCs 10 years into the arrangements, and bearing in mind the level of savings forces are looking to make, I’m sure PCCs will be looking for efficiency savings in their arrangements too.

service they can. I’m doing my best to talk to anyone that will listen about the need for a long-term workforce plan that also includes our police staff colleagues and volunteers. We certainly need to retain the 20,000, but we also need not to lose any staff as a consequence of doing so. In future bids for funding and growth in numbers I’m trying to find a way to demonstrate that investment in policing leads to economic growth, which is badly needed to get out of the current cost of living crisis, so if anyone knows of any research on this, or has any bright ideas, please get in touch.

SH: What are your thoughts on the Casey Review and how will these be acted upon by the NPCC?

GS: The Casey Review is a hugely important report which contains awful detail, personal stories and systemic failings. It needs to be grasped as an opportunity to make policing better

fairly remunerated? What would you like to see from the Government in response to the report? Is there a view of the NPCC regarding employment rights for their police officers and will it be discussed in light of the 17% deficit in police pay?

GS: We are working hard with PFEW, PSA, Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA) and police staff unions to secure a better deal. Police officer pay should attract a premium because of that absence of a right to strike. I hope there will be some news soon and I’m grateful for how closely we’ve been able to work together with PFEW in the latest pay round.

“The key issues raised in the Casey Review are priorities for all chief officers, it is not just a London issue”

SH: The Police Uplift programme has now ended. Do you think that the 20,000 additional police officers is enough and how do you see the recruitment numbers evolving in the future if we are to keep police figures where they are now, if we accept the govt numbers?

GS: Over 275,000 people applied to join policing over the last four years, and over 46,000 joined. That tells me there are still lots of people with great public spirit who want to serve their communities and join our vocation. I joked to the previous Prime Minister – why stop at 20,000? Go to 30,000! It was only a half joke. We certainly need more capacity in policing to cope with how much community needs have grown over the last decade. I’m not a fan of talking about ‘demand on policing’, it is really about communities that need a service, either from us or other agencies, and I regularly hear from colleagues that they don’t have anywhere near the time they’d like available to give the best

everywhere. The key issues raised in the Casey Review are priorities for all chief officers, it is not just a London issue. I chair a national standards Gold Group, which is pulling together all the work, including what we are doing to tackle violence against women and girls, and the Police Race Action Plan. I do believe that this will lead to change that the public and our people can see and feel over the coming years, including more interrogation of intelligence about our own staff and stronger investigations, more internal reporting of concerns, higher satisfaction from victims or those who raise concerns, more assurance from independent bodies of the strength of our systems, and more confidence from our staff that toxic behaviour will be called out and dealt with. Falling public confidence is equally about our effectiveness in tackling crime and the issues that matter most to the public. Our efforts to lock up burglars is as important as giving communities confidence that we are improving vetting standards.

SH: The Social Market Foundation report, published in March, states that police officer pay has fallen 17% in real terms since 2000. Do you feel police officers are

I’m very nervous about employment rights discussions, if by that you mean the right to strike. I think such a move could take us into territory with far broader implications. It could change the relationship between the police and the public, which is so essential to safety, it could change job security overall, and it could affect operational independence. The Office of Constable is a precious thing, ensuring independence in service of the King, keeping us separate from the other institutions of state. This is not something to enter into lightly, so let’s work hard together to make a very strong case for competitive pay and conditions.

SH: From joining Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1993 to serving every rank in the Surrey Police for more than 20 years, please share with our readers some of the milestones in your policing career. GS: The first thing I’d say is that I love policing, as much now as the day I joined. It was my mate Andy that got me into it in the first place. He’s retired and returned as an investigator, so still has the passion for it too. The professional milestones that I’ve really enjoyed include being a Neighbourhood Inspector, probably the best job I had, and working in PSD, which was really interesting, if challenging. I got to work on a sporting corruption investigation in Formula 1 with colleagues from Italy, which as a car nut, was really enjoyable. From a personal perspective the care and friendship in policing got me through the loss of my wife from cancer, and supported me in being a single Dad. I know that so many colleagues go through big life changes and have caring responsibilities, whilst caring for their communities too, and it gave me additional admiration for just what we can achieve despite adversity.

SUPPORTING MEMBERS WHEREVER THEY WORK

Deputy Chair Tiff Lynch, answers questions of concern to serving officers, from pensions and pay awards to service medals and lenient sentences for those who attack the police

With the number of police leavers at an all-time high, does the Federation have a responsibility to support serving officers through the process of leaving the organisation?

Many local Police Federation branches run pre-retirement courses for officers to help the transition from policing to either retirement or, if resigning, the search for another job. These are often run by independent financial providers who can offer expert advice and counsel. These

are understandably popular and often get booked up quickly. Anyone interested

“Forces need to better understand why officers are leaving the police service and an exit interview would help to get a more accurate picture of those reasons”

should contact their local Police Federation office to see what is available.

Pension and investment advice is often made freely available to those retiring,

but unlike the military, those who wish to leave before retirement get no support at all. Most would simply appreciate a thank you or the opportunity for an exit interview.

Couldn’t agree more – forces need to better understand why officers are leaving the police service and an exit interview would help to get a more accurate picture of those reasons. In addition, if people need assistance and support when leaving, then forces should help with that too.

Local Police Federation offices offer a range of courses and support, so it is worth seeing what is available locally if you are in this position.

With voluntary police leavers increasing by nearly 200% in the last decade, what is the Federation doing to understand the reasons why? And how can it improve retention rates?

Running regular surveys of members gives PFEW valuable information to talk to chief officers and the Government about the reasons why. In recent years, in addition to work being undertaken by forces and the College of Policing, PFEW has been conducting new starter and leaver surveys, which give a clear picture as to how the aspirations and views of officer’s change from when they begin to when they leave. We use this evidence base to feed into discussions about police officer pay and conditions of service.

What is the federation doing to push for an answer from the Home Office about long service medals?

Recently John Partington, Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) national lead for honours and awards, has been working actively to address this request for acknowledgement with the Home Office alongside Paul Griffiths OBE from the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA).

be times when more specialist provision is needed – which is why we have a Welfare Support Programme (WSP) in place.

The WSP has been extended for another 12 months thanks to its continued success over the last two years and provides invaluable support. The service is provided by Defence Medical Welfare Service and provides support such as:

• Practical and mental support

• Clinical assessment and dedicated counselling

• Person-centred support (via telephone or face-to-face)

• Access to fully trained and accredited professionals

• Independent and confidential support

• Referrals to appropriate follow-on specialist support

Members who feel they need the support should contact their local Federation Rep if they feel they are struggling and

GBHing a skipper and breaking his eye socket. Is there really no punishment for assaulting police anymore?!

In July 2021 a new legislation came into effect doubling the amount of time of sentencing from 12 months to two years for anyone who assaults a police officer.

Unfortunately, though there have been many incidences where the perpetrator didn’t receive the maximum amount or is offered a suspended sentence, this can be down to several factors, such as technicalities, not enough evidence, or inaccuracies during the trial.

It is incredibly important for officers who have witnessed an assault on another officer to come forward to help support the victim to secure a prosecution.

However, when a weak sentence is awarded, this can have a detrimental effect on the officers’ wellbeing, that’s why the Police Federation works with a number of third-party agencies such as Operation Hampshire that offer fantastic support to officers who have been assaulted.

“Attacking an officer or any emergency worker is totally unacceptable, they are human beings who have families, some having very young children”

As a result of his hard work, changes have now been made to the Royal Warrant for all federated officers. This ultimately means police officers will receive an additional ‘bar’ when they reach 30 years’ service and a second bar for 40 years’ service, which is a really positive outcome for recognition.

You can find more information around this here www.polfed.org/news/ latest-news/2023/additional-servicebar-for-police-long-service-and-goodconduct-medal/

Increasing peer support networks are being developed to support officers with health, wellbeing, and balancing family life with their unique role. Are there any funding streams that can be accessed via the Fed to support this type of work?

The mental health of our members is critical, we want to make sure that no officer is struggling. However, there may

need support. Their situation will then be filtered, and the correct course of action to help the officer in question will then be determined, including the level of support that needs to be offered, all of which is included within the Police Federation membership.

What is the Fed doing about everincreasing weak sentencing for violent offenders who assault police? A male in my force area was given a one-year sentence, suspended for two years, for

There is also the right to appeal in certain circumstances. However there are strict guidelines to the appeal that have been done by a number of Chiefs in a few circumstances.

Attacking an officer or any emergency worker is totally unacceptable; they are human beings who have families.

Judges and magistrates must use the new sentencing guidelines being introduced in July (polfed.org).

When will we hear about the pay award?

The Home Secretary receives the recommendation from the Police Remuneration Review Body in May/June and then usually announces the police pay award in July, with any pay award being effective from 1 September that year.

VERY SPECIAL VOLUNTEERS

This year for National Volunteers Week, the Police Federation of England and Wales is focusing on the incredible work that is done every day by our Special Constables

To celebrate National Volunteers Week, which is taking place from 1-7 June 2023, we want to focus on the incredible contribution that the Special Constables offer police forces across England and Wales year in, year out.

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding experiences for so many people. By investing your own personal time without being paid, this has an incredible impact on organisations that support the wider community.

Most people generally undertake some kind of volunteering at some point during their lives, and currently there are 6,829 Special Constables dedicating their time towards policing in England and Wales.

However, it is important to note that the role of the Special Constable is one that requires commitment and understanding from each volunteer. As well as contributing to their local community, individuals who volunteer in this important way receive opportunities for training. Specials are asked to contribute an average of 16 hours per month, but we hope that any contribution would be considered by forces to accommodate and support the lives of volunteers.

Last year, Special Constables contributed an amazing two-and-a-half million hours towards policing, equating to £61.5 million worth of work, something that is highly appreciated within the police service.

become a regular officer by gaining a better understanding of workloads and responsibilities. Our National Chair, Steve

“The role of the Special Constable can be anything from a front-line role to detective work, cybercrime to roads policing”

The role of the Special Constable can be anything from a frontline role to detective work, cybercrime, or roads policing. More recently, training in tasers has been available, allowing for better protection while on duty.

Generally, there are two types of Special Constable. The first type is the volunteer who wants to use the experience to

Hartshorn, was a Special Constable before joining the Met Police. The experience of volunteering helped him to secure a successful lifelong career.

The second type is the volunteer who simply has a desire to help their local communities and protect the public, and who has the time to contribute toward this.

These are our career Special Constables. There is enormous diversity among our Special Constables, such as mothers, students, financial advisors, personal trainers, and even those who are married to iconic 1970s British Pop stars. Without question, now is the time to ensure that the contribution these individuals offer to the police and the community never goes unnoticed and is truly appreciated. We at PFEW thank you for the time and commitment.

Interested in becoming a Special Constable? www.college.police.uk/ guidance/special-constables

Reps Spotlight

National Board member and Devon and Cornwall Sergeant Sue Honeywill visited her local station to discuss job pressures and get involved with frontline duties, after recovering from a workplace injury

Today, I woke up before my 5:45am alarm. I was excited and nervous, as it has been more than 18 months since I put my uniform on.

But there is no better way to understand the pressure faced by our frontline officers than to spend the day with my operational colleagues in Bodmin.

I needn’t have worried, as I was instantly met with the warmest of welcomes from some familiar faces, as well as new colleagues who have recently joined the team.

previous night, but they were prioritising a missing person enquiry that had come in that morning.

I am sure, like many stations and forces across the country, Bodmin is no different, but the team has dealt with a number of

to catch up with colleagues about their morning. There was a photo opportunity that was met with some resistance, but not from the chief who was happy to join his team, which was welcomed.

There has been an investment in officer wellbeing, but teams still struggle. They explained that demand remains high and the impact of fatigue is significant, especially when they work over their allocated shifts times.

However, the team spirit and camaraderie was palpable. It was a privilege to spend the day with the team at Bodmin. They remained candid about the work pressures, but they pull together to get the job done to the highest of standards.

“They remained candid about the work pressures, but they pull together to get the job done to the highest of standards”

The night turn staff were still on duty, but busy working away to clear their paperwork from the previous evening. They eventually left just after 9am, even though their shifts officially finish at 7am.

It was clear it was going to be a busy day for a number of teams, with a special operation taking place within the traffic department. There were two CID officers heading off to interview a suspect in prison, an AVR busy with taskings, and the neighbourhood team busy catching up on paperwork, holding meetings, and getting out on foot patrol, if the workload allowed.

The response team had a number of incidents to catch up on from the

traumatic incidents, as well as fatal road collisions and a murder inquiry.  But the team’s spirit appeared to remain high, which was really reassuring.

Officers said they had received good support, including a wellbeing day to check in with staff. No doubt this has helped with lifting morale at the station.

The station was buzzing. I can say from previous experience that this is not always the case, as some officers were keen to highlight.

National Federation duties meant I had to dip out of operational policing for a couple of hours to chair an online Women’s Seminar for our Fed reps across the country. But soon I was back when cakes were on offer at midday. It was a good chance

Special thanks to the No Excuses Team for allowing me to double crew with them for the afternoon. They are a dedicated road safety team, working around the clock to tackle the Fatal Five, which are careless driving, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, and speeding. Give them a follow on Twitter at @DC_NoExcuse and Facebook at  www.facebook.com/BodminPolice

BODY ARMOUR MATTERS

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is the first force in the country to invest £2 million in third-generation body armour to ensure the highest degree of protection for frontline officers. By Richard Croucher, the Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Officer, Chief Finance Officer

and Portfolio Lead for

Uniform

The third-generation body armour, now rolled out to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, has been manufactured to the higher 2017 CAST standard. This provides enhanced safety standards to our officers and staff. It is a significant investment of £2 million, but the health, safety and wellbeing of our officers and staff has consistently remained a high priority within the force. We issued more than 1,000 sets in 2022 and will issue another 1,000 sets in 2023.

We know the importance of a good fit from a comfort and safety perspective,

can be uncomfortable, especially in warm weather, but manufacturing developments have made the core material lighter. As a result, enhanced protection does not add weight and the design is more breathable.

Great steps forward have been made in designing female-friendly body armour, although we still have procured bespoke fitted body armour for some officers.

As part of the rollout, all eligible officers and staff were offered the opportunity to be measured at a local station by the armour supplier. Then, stock was ordered, with spare sets in the most common sizes. Once the armour arrived, officers and staff booked an appointment at a local station to try it on with the aid of our Stores team. That was a really useful process, as several people walked away with a set of armour in a different size to their order. The Stores team checked the fitting to ensure the armour met the required safety standards, so the sessions allowed officers to get the best possible fit.

“Even well-fitting armour can be uncomfortable, especially in warm weather, but manufacturing developments have made the core material lighter”

supplementing the national work undertaken on ergonomic fit, with local trials to work with our supplier. This is to make sure the armour is as comfortable as it can be. Even well-fitting armour

The feedback from local trials supported rolling out a Molle cover as standard. The Molle cover provides multiple attachment points, so officers and staff can carry kit on their armour. Plain covert covers in white and black are available, along with high-visibility covers for cyclists. A range of pouches in black or high-viz can be attached to the Molle cover.

Although the Molle cover is popular, we learned that in winter, officers were wearing their body armour over their winter coats so they could still attach personal protective equipment to the

cover. Unfortunately, that is a safety issue as body armour needs to be close to the skin to provide the enhanced protection. We have reminded officers that they will still need to attach kit to their belt or a harness when they need kit outside their winter coats.

Now, we are looking to source a Molle TAC vest that can be worn over an outer coat.

than one set of armour or covers for their particular roles.

“More than 2,000 officers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were measured and fitted, and some required more than one set of armour”

It has been a mammoth exercise, coordinated by Staff Officer Karen Williams, Stores Manager Richard Sanders, and Contract Manager Graham Sault, who managed the logistics. More than 2,000 officers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were measured and fitted. Some officers required more

It would not have been possible to roll out the armour without the dedication and flexibility of our in-house Stores team to receive, transit and fit all the armour. This has been achieved along with issuing uniforms to record levels of new starters, as a result of the Police Uplift Programme.

As the first force in the country to rollout the third-generation body armour, we can still learn and improve. However, we are pleased to take the first step forward for UK policing and look forward to embracing the further improvements as more forces roll out the new armour.

ARMOUR IMPROVEMENTS

The new third-generation body armour is now available to all forces. PFEW is launching the Body Armour Matters campaign to highlight why it is vital for forces to invest in the latest equipment.

The new body armour is a significant improvement on what was previously available. For the first time in policing history, female body armour is available.

PFEW National Board member, Belinda Goodwin, said: “It is long overdue that women’s different physicality is recognised in proper fitting body armour. As a young female Met officer, I spent years in discomfort and pain as I squeezed into body armour that simply wasn’t suitable for any female officer. What we finally have is parity with our male colleagues and I know all the female cops out there will breathe a sigh of relief at this.”

The new body armour has been improved in other areas too.

It provides increased overall protection, providing better neck and underarm protection and has extended protection, or increased supplementary knife resistance, which translates as better stab and impact resistance. Given the almost-50,000 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument recorded by Police in England and Wales in the year ending March 2022, this means there are almost 50,000 times a year that our members rely on their body armour, and this is why body armour matters.

Zac Mader, Operational Policing Lead, noted: “This improved protection can give male and female cops the confidence they need when stepping in harm’s way to protect the public. We would urge all forces to adopt the new body armour as a matter of urgency.”

PROTECTION FROM COERCIVE CONTROL

Dr Jane Monckton Smith breaks down the myths about coercive control, so officers can better understand it and recognise it

Spotting coercive control can be incredibly difficult for officers. Cameras in every room of the house, for instance, are an obvious sign, but restrictions on when the internet can be used, for example, are impossible to know about unless revealed by the victim.

Since it became an offence in 2015, charge and prosecution rates for coercive control remain low. Alongside that, shockingly, almost one in five people in the UK have experienced domestic abuse at some point in their lives. In the past year alone, 1.7 million women and 699,000 men were victims.

Research shows the considerable impact coercive control has on victims. It will often precede physical violence and should be considered a warning sign that violence could start in a relationship.

Professor of Public Protection at the University of Gloucestershire and former police officer, Dr Jane Monckton Smith, is featured in this month’s College of Policing’s Inside Policing podcast. She speaks passionately about the importance of response teams being able to spot coercive control.

“The best one I ever heard was ‘coercive control is a pattern of behaviour designed to trap someone in a relationship’. That’s it, one sentence. That’s what this person is trying to do. That’s their motivation.”

In her book, Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder, Monckton Smith is clear that “crimes of passion” are a myth and “killers do not snap and lose control”, but rather they kill as part of clear

consequences. Homicide is one of the consequences, but so can being in a sulk, slapping someone or strangling someone. They’re all consequences.”

“Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour designed to trap someone in a relationship”

“It’s said all the time that coercive control is really complex, and sometimes it’s hidden, and you can’t find it. So, this makes it impossible for us. All of those things are true. However, it is quite easy to understand coercive control,” she says.

“I try to explain it a lot of the time using just one sentence. Rather than try and bombard with all the complexities. Let’s just pull out a one-sentence explanation that a police officer, in a chaotic situation, can draw from.

patterns of coercive control.

“Coercive control is a repeating and constant pattern. So during that relationship we have what’s called the three Cs. Control, challenge, consequence. Over and over again,” she tells the podcast. “So, the control is in place through whatever tactics they use to impose control. The victim will challenge that control, maybe inadvertently, but the control is usually a set of unwritten rules. As soon as there’s a challenge, there are

Discussing how officers can spot the signs, she says: “Let’s have a look at why we’ve been called. Clearly there was a challenge and we’ve been called because the consequences became visible to somebody else. We’ve got to manage that situation. You can let the victim know that the consequences could get worse, they may well know that already, and you can manage the consequences that are in front of you, and manage the consequences of what might happen in the future because you were there.”

• The College of Policing’s violence against women and girls toolkit features advice and guidance on dealing with coercive control. To download the toolkit, go to www.college.police.uk/ guidance/violence-against-womenand-girls-toolkit

• The full interview with Jane Monckton Smith is this month’s Inside Policing podcast and is available on all platforms.

FIGHTING FATIGUE WITH FOOD

Nutrition plays an important part in preventing fatigue, especially for shift workers. An expert from the Ministry of Defence Police talks to POLICE

Part of our Target Fatigue initiative focuses on the importance of nutrition, hydration and the right eating habits to maintain a balanced and healthy diet that can see you through long, physically demanding shifts. This is especially important for police officers. Rotating shift patterns alternating between early starts and night shifts can exacerbate the disruption of the internal body clock and can lead to sleeping difficulties. It makes it harder to lead a healthier lifestyle, and symptoms of fatigue can increase.

right for you is not as easy as it should be.

For National Healthy Eating week, which runs from 12-17 June, we want to ensure that you have access to the appropriate information. This is why we spoke with Alison Booker, Dietitian and

She covered three main areas of concern: hydration, shift work, and diet. In her introduction, Ali explains how the links between diet and health, especially for shift workers, is complex and should be understood properly.

“Improving your diet quality is important for operational effectiveness, as well as physical and mental wellbeing”

Health and Wellbeing advisor to the Ministry of Defence Police.

There is much competing advice online about how to manage diets and maintain a healthy approach to food and physical behaviour. Navigating this to know what’s

Ali, as she likes to be called, came down to Fed House to film short educational videos on the importance of diet and healthy eating when combatting fatigue.

These complex links involve the relationship between light exposure, sleep, circadian rhythms, and genetics. Key to managing these relationships and maintaining our health is diet and the quality of the food we all consume.

Ali notes: “Along with other areas of health, improving your diet quality is important, not just for operational effectiveness, but for the physical and

mental wellbeing of officers too.”

She points out that this is important because an officer who is fatigued may be less alert, have slower reaction times, and find it harder to concentrate. As a result, a fatigued officer can struggle to make the correct decision in times of stress and concentration. This can affect mental wellbeing, lead to accidents, and increase the risk of injury.

In the second of her short videos, Ali addresses the main nutrients for minimising fatigue, breaking down the three main sources for nutrients: carbohydrates, protein and dietary fat.

sources of carbohydrates, explaining the difference between ultra-processed carbohydrates, and the high fibre options. These have a lower Glycaemic Index, which is associated with sustaining energy levels and improved gut-health.

“With shift work and disruptive sleeping patterns considered normal, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can a challenge”

If you fear carbohydrates as something that will slow you down, and make you gain weight, be reassured that healthy carbohydrates are our main source of energy. As a vital fuel for our brains and our bodies, carbs are important for cognitive function and physical performance. Ali highlights the best

Protein and what it can do for the body needs to be understood too. This is especially relevant to shift workers and those working in physically demanding roles. Better understanding of the sources of protein is important, along with understanding why dietary fat is essential, and knowing the best sources of healthy dietary fat. This is all explained in Ali’s short tutorial.

Ali explains the importance of staying

TOP 5 TIPS TO BEAT

FATIGUE WITH FOOD

In her final video, Ali provides five easy-to-follow tips designed to help you maintain a healthier lifestyle

1. Develop an eating pattern that  fits with your shift work routine: A recommended approach is to have your main meal before you start your night shift. This will fuel you through the majority of your shift and should follow general healthy eating principles. Aim to include a wholegrain carbohydrate, a lean protein source, and a variety of fruit and vegetables.

2. Avoid large meals between midnight and 6am: Instead, have smaller meals and healthy snacks, such as low calorie, proteinrich options. Try hard-boiled eggs, yoghurt pouches and low-fat cheese snacks.

3. Avoid ultra-processed foods, fried foods, or foods high in sugar or saturated fat: Unless you are well

accustomed, spicy foods are not recommended. At night, our bodies are designed to be resting and recovering, and not digesting food, so anything that sits heavily can feel uncomfortable and lead to digestive complaints or nausea.

4. Batch-cook and freeze meals in individual portions for days when you are lower in energy: Use rest days to do your grocery shopping. Stick to simple recipes, so food preparation is easy and time-efficient.

5. Consider Vitamin D supplements all year round: This is because of a reduced exposure to sunlight for shift-working officers and staff. Vitamin D is also linked to improved immunity and bone health.

hydrated, an aspect of diet that is often overlooked on a long shift. This can be especially prevalent on night shifts, when workers are at a greater risk of dehydration. Our feelings of thirst diminish during the night, meaning we lose our natural prompts to drink water.

If you are struggling to understand why you might feel fatigued and are constantly fighting classic fatigue symptoms of headaches and reduced physical performance, this is the perfect tutorial to help you better understand and correct your hydration levels.

Policing can be a challenging environment, physically and mentally. With shift work and disruptive sleeping patterns considered normal, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge. It can be all too easy to reach for an unhealthy snack in an effort to see you through your shift. But we want to challenge that habit and give you the tools and information to make the right choices.

LOOKBACK: FAIR CHAIRS

As the Government hints at giving more powers to chief officers at misconduct hearings, PFEW Conduct and Performance Lead Phil Jones discusses the history of Legally Qualified Chairs

The conduct of officers, attitudes and processes within the service have rightly been looked at through a magnifying glass in recent months, following shocking cases which have rocked officers and their communities.

In January 2023, the Home Office launched a review into the dismissal process, scrutinising the consistency of decision-making at misconduct hearings and disproportionality in dismissals, alongside reviewing the misconduct panels model and the impact of legally qualified chairs (LQCs).

If you’re experiencing déjà vu reading this, your hunch is correct. A similar consultation was carried out back in 2015. This led to the system being overhauled to bring greater transparency, justice and independence into the police disciplinary system.

Members of the public were allowed to sit in on disciplinary hearings, and LQCs were introduced. The Federation was satisfied with these changes, as it meant the beginning of a fairer process for our members.

us that they had already decided the fate of an officer, positive or negative, before hearing evidence.

How could anyone have faith in such an unfair system?

Because of recent high-profile cases, chiefs have been calling for more powers at misconduct hearings. The role of LQCs is being examined by the Home Office in its latest review.

The disciplinary system is not perfect, and we welcome improvements, providing they are truly beneficial for officers and complainants. We already know disciplinary investigations take too long. The Baroness Casey Review highlighted that on average, the Met takes 400 days to finalise misconduct cases, but this is a nationwide problem. One in eight cases still takes more

expeditiously”, so we are pleased to see the Government acknowledging this issue. We are keen to continue working with parliamentarians for further legislative change.

However, she told the committee the Government wants to make it easier for chief officers to dismiss police officers where they identify evidence of misconduct – an ominous indication of what we could expect from the consultation findings.

“LQCs play a vital role in maintaining an impartial, fair and transparent system for the police and public”

The 2015 report perfectly sums why LQCs were introduced: “The majority of respondents stated that the introduction of legally qualified chairs would result in sound and legally reasoned judgments, reduced appeals, fair and consistent decisions, greater transparency and increased public confidence.”

Forces were essentially marking their own homework before LQCs came in. They are now assisted by an independent member and a senior police officer, making up an independent panel.

Chief officers used to preside over misconduct hearings, but it was clear to

than 12 months to conclude, according to the Home Office.

Via our Time Limits campaign, we are fighting for police disciplinary investigations to be concluded within 12 months from when an allegation is made.

We propose legislation to give legally qualified persons power to impose deadlines on investigations that have taken a year. This is because the impact on officers and complainants is massively damaging as they try to continue their lives under such stress.

The Home Secretary told the Home Affairs Committee she thinks “investigations need to happen more

Chief officers can already make “fast-track” dismissals. Additionally, they can chair accelerated hearings and dismiss officers without delay when the evidence is incontrovertible and amounts to gross misconduct.

We will await the findings of the Home Office consultation, which we fed into, championing the continued use of LQCs. They play a vital role in maintaining an impartial, fair and transparent system for the police and public.

The impartiality of independent panels, who hear, watch and read all evidence before making a decision – free of political and social pressures – is vital to maintaining a transparent, fair system.

Moving away from this would be a huge retrograde step during a pivotal moment where we want to improve the service and restore public confidence.

A Community Interest Company

I called NCDV as I was in an abusive relationship. I left with my dog, my child and the clothes on my back. Within 2 hours of making contact with NCDV they had contacted a solicitor and started non molestation order proceedings to safeguard my son.

I got a non-molestation order in pace for 1 year and have re located to an area away from my ex husband. Leaving was the best decision I have ever made.

I cannot thank NCDV enough for supporting us at the most difficult time in our lives.

From a victim now a survivor

Incredible. I made the referral whilst sat with my victim of crime. Within 30 minutes your team had been in contact and arranged a solicitor and court. Around 24 hours after that first email the paperwork had been drawn up for a non-molestation order.

A phenomenal service for a woman and her children who need your support . Thank you!

PC Laura Norris, Avon and Somerset

FREE training for the Police

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We can even deliver out of hours sessions and short 15 minute free ASSIST training Sessions. Contact us to find out more about how we can help you.

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• How NCDV can help survivors of Domestic Abuse.

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Side by side towards retirement

The Metropolitan Police Friendly Society (Metfriendly) has been supporting the Police Family with their finances since 1893; side by side through world wars, pandemics, and all of life’s milestones along the way. As a Mutual, we are owned by our Members who remain at the heart of everything we do so you can be confident that we have your back.

If you’re less than five years away from retiring from the Police Service, it’s not too early to start thinking about your options. Working in the Police may well be the only career you’ve had and we know that retiring can be a really big deal for you and your family. We can help you navigate that change with a sensible chat about finances; whether you’re considering a second career, launching your own business or putting your feet up for a well-earned break.

Exploring your options

Metfriendly run a dedicated programme of seminars about pensions to help you make sense of the options available and to approach police retirement with confidence. These sessions cover:

• when you can retire

• what your pension is likely to provide

• what your lump sum will look like

• what to expect if you’re looking for a new career

Wondering when you can retire and what your pension will look like? If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of retirement and all it entails or just need a little help making sense of it all so you can make some sensible decisions, book a place on a Metfriendly seminar now at metfriendly.org.uk/ret21

• financial planning implications to consider such as wills, lasting power of attorney, inheritance tax planning, trusts and estate planning (delivered by independent firm, Lifetime Solicitors).

Already thinking about investing a sum of money?

Book a one-to-one meeting with a Metfriendly representative to discuss your options by calling 01689 891454 or visit metfriendly.org.uk/lumpsum

Dates, for both webinars and live seminars (when restrictions are lifted), can be found at metfriendly.org.uk/events. If you will be attending a live seminar and you’d like to bring your partner or spouse, please book separately under each name.

Recent feedback for the Metfriendly Pensions Team:

We are so so so lucky to have Metfriendly helping us in these matters. I now have a plan and I am so happy.

Metfriendly is

Having been totally confused about almost all elements of my pension I now feel a lot more clear and confident about when I can retire and what that will look like. He has also gone an awfully long way to dispelling lots of myths around the office about all manner of things pension related.