Q: You’ve been Secretary of Avon and Somerset Police Federation for the past six months and you’ve just been elected Chair. What did you learn as Secretary?

A: I’d been a Fed Rep for 8 years, but as Secretary I really saw the pressures that the Federation is under because of the pressures that policing is under. I’ve seen us supporting individual officers really well, what I'm looking forward to doing as Chair is engaging more with all of our membership and striving to be their voice.

 

Q: Why did you decide to go for the Chair’s role and what do you hope to achieve?

A: I want the Federation to be more vocal in the right way, I think that’s really important. I want to spend my time supporting members, getting out there, listening to them and being their voice when they may not have always have a voice. I want to be visible. I also want to engage with other key stakeholders, chief officers and local MPs. I just met with our Police and Crime Commissioner and it went well. We discussed some of the concerns our members are facing, as well as wider issues in policing. We talked about subjects including police pay, the trauma officers bring home, and the impacts of policing on their private lives. I really want to make sure that the reality of policing and all of its pressures is understood.

 

Q: It’s a difficult time for policing. What are officers telling you their biggest worries are at the moment?

A: Pay is right up there, as well as workplace pressures, trauma, and the lack of wider support for policing in the media and elsewhere. Just last night, I had an email from an officer reaching out about how they were dealing with emergency calls in a large city, they were the last officer there with no help for miles around. That's the reality. Officers also tell me about the risks they're exposed to, the number of assaults they suffer, and how they’re struggling with the cost of living.

 

Q: What’s your message to your members and fellow Fed Reps?

A: I’m very grateful to be elected, I see how hard my fellow Fed Reps work, it’s often unseen but I really value their support both personally and professionally. Most of all I want to thank all of Avon and Somerset’s officers for their continued hard work, I never underestimate the pressures you are under. Please know that your Federation is here to help you and that our door is always open.