Message from the New Chair

1 December 2021

May I be the first to welcome you to our new Triannual period.

For those of you that are new to the Police Federation and our local Council, from us all ‘Thank You’. Thank you for putting yourself forward and volunteering to be a Federation Representative. For those of you returning for new terms ‘Thank You’, for not only being gluttons for punishment but for all the hard work you have put into making us one of the most productive, trusted and recognised Branches in the country.

Being a Federation Rep is one of the most under-appreciated, but ultimately rewarding roles I believe we can do within Policing. To be in the privileged position where you can support and influence change on behalf of your peers and colleagues at the times and moments when they need someone most is amazing and with the utmost sincerity, I thank you for ‘stepping up’.

We have also just had the Board elections and I am happy to say that we have a Board full of some excellent representatives and consider it humbling but also a massive privilege to be elected as the Chair of our Branch. I will be working alongside Mr. Tony Henley as the Branch Secretary, Mr Neil Kingdon as the Dep Secretary/Conduct and Performance Lead and Mr. Iain Prideaux who takes up his new role as the Branch Treasurer/Equality, Wellbeing and H&S Lead. I am sure you will join me in congratulating them on their roles and wish them every success.

As your new Chair it is right and proper that I pay tribute to Iain as our outgoing Chair. Iain has done a fabulous job in the time he was in the role and only steps aside now to concentrate on and support us as the Equality, Wellbeing and H&S Lead; a role he is supremely passionate about.

My passion for Policing has never waned and I honestly believe we are the best Police Service in the world. Not just because we still operate under the 9 principals Sir Robert Peel conceived way back in 1829, but because of our people. Our strength and brilliance is in diversity and inclusivity, by the differences within us all that come together for a common purpose, but that leads us to a position of inequality. The principles of the Federation are ‘Represent, Influence and Negotiate’. Very much like the Peelian principles of Policing, it is about voice. To maintain at all times a relationship with the public or membership that gives reality to the historic tradition that the Police are the Public and that the Public are the Police. The Police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence. We all too often hear about equality and the drive to make all things fair, but what does that actually mean. Equality means ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities and receives the same treatment and support. Very hard to fundamentally disagree with, but do we truly understand equality or do we mean equity. Equity is not the same as equality, nor is it the same as inequality. Inequality being the difference in social status, wealth or opportunity between people and/or groups. Equity is simply giving to those who need it, which is proportionate to their own circumstance in order to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities.

If equality is the end goal, then equity is the means to get there? Or do we strive for both?

Ironically, as Police Officers we are already at a difference in social status. The impact and restrictions on our private lives, our ability for personal wealth growth, the effect our employment has on our health, mental health and our mental wellbeing. How many of us carry injuries or scars of policing? So, whilst we as a staff association preach equality and equity, we are already disadvantaged. We already start at a position where we are not equal, so whilst we are of the people, we are not equal to the people. Therefore, by that very thought, do we deserve equity because of our job, our vocation, our calling?

So why do I raise this, I can assure you I am not soapboxing but asking us all to consider this in how we approach our roles as Federation Representatives, whether new or renewed. The importance in what we do, regardless of gender, heritage, sex or age is so important. I would ask you to consider what we do and why we do it. I would ask you to consider and understand equality, understand equity, understand the delicate balance in-between and always remember how important you are and how important your interaction with our membership is. To that member when they need us the most, almost always at a moment of inequity, not inequality, you are vital.

I have pledged to be transparent, approachable and relevant and I promise you all that I will at all times abide by my pledge. As with my conduct work I have always managed the expectations of those I interact with, it has served me well. Will I have all of the answers all of the time? I won’t. I will make mistakes and I will error, but I will do my very best and I will perform my role to the very best of my ability at all times.

So leading back, ‘Thank You’; for your service, for your dedication and for your courage in stepping up for the benefit of our membership.

Take care, look after yourself and if you need anything please do not hesitate to get in touch with Me, Tony, Neil or Iain.

All the best

Mark