New Chair's Message

20 May 2021

Hello, welcome and thank you!

As your new branch Chair, I want to say thank you for voting for me and placing me in a position to help influence the change you have told me you desperately need to experience. Your health and wellbeing, reward, recognition and opportunity for development are my primary goals.

Policing through a pandemic meant we had to find new dynamic ways of working which brought benefits and unexpected consequences. Many officers enjoyed the benefits of working flexibly from home to support loved ones and bring a better work/life balance. However, others felt they were ‘living at work’ and unable to disengage from the demands of their role.

Positive working relationship with the Force leads ensured many of the reasonable adjustments needed to work remotely were agreed. Flexible hours, appropriate IT, chairs, desks and regular breaks helped make the changes more bearable. I am committed to ensuring you continue to benefit from this flexibility. If you have reasonable adjustments in place that need to continue or you would like to discuss changes that would support you further, please approach your line manager. Further information can be found on the coronavirus pocket book page and/or by contacting us info.avonsom@polfed.org

The Federation is committed to your health and wellbeing with dedicated support for your mental and physical health, financial wellbeing and rehabilitation Well-Being (polfed.org)

The Federation has initiatives to reward and recognise your outstanding contribution to policing. Bravery awards and Inspiration awards for frontline, investigations, equality and diversity and our officers have been highlighted for local and national commendation. I am passionate to see peers and supervisors celebrate your work with a culture that says thank you. I will promote a “see change” in the content and timeliness of praise that sees you valued. You are highly trained, experienced, tenacious protectors and investigators in whom the public have a high degree of trust which deserves to be recognised.

We have seen an uplift in officer numbers from the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and Degree Holder Entry Programmes (DHEP). The Constabulary needs to support their development and the departments they join so new officers have the very best start to their career. I am keen to ensure tutors and mentors are in place to support you all and the professional development units have the best resources available to make the uplift a success.

I would like to see a restoration of development opportunities both within and outside the Constabulary so you can enjoy the benefits of working in new roles and specialist posts enabling a sharing of best practice from being exposed to new environments.

You are the most important asset the Constabulary enjoys and your personal and professional development can only benefit everyone who comes into contact with you.

Officer assaults remains a focus. I fully support a Policing Covenant which is working its way through parliament. It will create a statutory duty on the Constabulary to support officers and their family especially in protecting you and regarding your health and wellbeing. There will be a requirement for the Constabulary to report annually to the Home Secretary on their progress.

The Federation has a specific campaign called ‘Protect the Protectors’ which pushes for tougher sentencing for those who assault police officers and emergency workers Protect The Protectors (polfed.org)

This year will see a likely increase in public disorder, stop and search and uses of force. I will highlight that you need to be properly trained and equipped. With national demands around the G7 and the COP26 Climate Change Conference, I will also make sure you benefit from the best planning for these high profile events.

Finally, I have two ears and one mouth and I will listen twice as much as I speak. I will reach out to you with regular pulse surveys and attend briefings to hear your concerns. Please contact me so I can bring your lived experience to the Constabulary and help influence positive change.

Thank you for all your hard work, look after each other and stay safe.

Iain