Stand for election and make a difference

23 January 2025

Members who want to make a difference to Derbyshire Police Federation are being encouraged to stand in the upcoming elections.

Detective Sergeant Steve Fuller, who attended the recent FedConnect event on behalf of Derbyshire Police Federation, says now is the ideal time for members to make a difference.

They have until tomorrow (Friday 24 January) to nominate themselves to stand for workplace representative positions.

The Federation is making a special plea to members from under-represented groups to consider putting themselves forward to become reps to help better reflect the diversity of the membership.

 

PFEW’s Fed Connect aimed to engage members on key issues.

 

Steve said: “If you want to make a difference to the Federation and to fellow members then stand.

“It feels like we’re at an important moment for the Federation and for members, and the service the Fed provides is there to be shaped and defined.

“If anyone has a passion to shape and define things then now is as good a time as any to get involved.”

Steve said the elections are also a chance for the Federation as a whole to renew its relationship with members, particularly those young in service.

Steve, who is due to retire in two years, is a member of the Leigh Day claimants’ group, which made up the pension challenge against PFEW.

Engage with younger members

And he feels now is the time for the Federation to really engage with younger members.

He said: “It’s going to be a big challenge to renew the relationship, because the relationship with experienced officers, who set the tone and the culture in the forces, has been damaged.

“The newer in service members are the future of the Federation, and I think the Federation needs to become more modern to address the needs and concerns of, not only the current workforce, but the workforce going forward.”

Steve’s comments came as he reflected on PFEW’s Fed Connect event, which brought together members of Federation branches across England and Wales.

Key issues

The aim was to engage members on key issues affecting members, share insights, and shape the future of policing.

The online event explored pay and conditions, police and the media, last summer’s civil unrest, and the support given to firearms officers.

It heard from Chris Philp MP, the Shadow Home Secretary, and PFEW Acting National chair Tiff Lynch, and chief executive Mukund Krishna.

Steve attended in person on behalf of Derbyshire Police Federation, and he said: “It was interesting to see and be part of it and to hear the different voices.

“The Fed can’t compel branches to send someone, but it would have benefited from every force being represented.

Cross-section of voices

“And I think in order to get more of a cross-section of voices, it would have benefited from more officers attending who aren’t Fed reps, and more constables and possibly sergeants because the junior ranks felt underrepresented.

“The people who need to understand the Fed and will be using their services in the future are the younger in service officers, and it really needs to engage with them.”

Information on the first round of elections for workplace reps, including how to self-nominate and how to vote, has been emailed to all members.

More details about the elections process, which began on 30 December and will end on 1 October when the new National Board will be in place, can be found on Page 5 of the winter edition of our members’ magazine News & Views 

If you have any further questions, please contact the Federation office.

Rewatch the FedConnect event.

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