National Federation conference will be held online

11 May 2021

Policing Under Pressure is the theme for the Police Federation’s first online conference and members are being encouraged to get involved.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) flagship event takes place virtually this year on 9 and 10 June because of the pandemic.

Derbyshire Police Federation branch chair Tony Wetton says the online event presents an opportunity for more members than ever before to take part.

Tony said: “The pandemic and the associated distancing rules mean we can’t be together physically for this year’s conference and that it will be held online for the first time.

“But that opens it up to many more people who may not have been able to attend, and I’d encourage our members to join the other online delegates where possible. 

“Conference is a chance to hear from and question Government ministers, police chiefs and key decision-makers after an unprecedented year for policing.

“It’s a chance for members to really engage and to play a part in the future of policing and the Federation.”

The conference will bring together practitioners, policy decision-makers and key policing stakeholders as well as guests from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), College of Policing (CoP), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to debate and examine the top issues in policing today.

Delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions, participate in polls, attend keynote speeches, and listen in to panel discussions in the online auditoriums and break-out rooms.

For the first time, the conference will also include a virtual exhibition; an online space where key policing partners will each have a virtual, interactive stand. Attendees can navigate the exhibitors using the floorplan and either drop by to speak to someone or arrange an online one-to-one meeting.

National Federation chair John Apter said: “The pandemic has affected everybody but certainly within policing it’s impact has been significant.

“The pressure on our colleagues has at times been intolerable and that’s why I think it’s really apt that the theme of the conference is Policing Under Pressure.”

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