Commitment to member engagement continues for Durham Police Federation

26 June 2026

Durham Police Federation has reaffirmed its commitment to engaging directly with members across the Force, ensuring officers’ voices are heard and represented at every level of policing.

A recent focus for the Federation has been attendance at the Neighbourhood Policing Teams’ Continuous Professional Development (CPD) day.

Branch vice-chair Louise Ramshaw attended on behalf of the Federation, taking the opportunity to speak with officers about the changing demands of neighbourhood policing, the importance of visible local policing, and the day-to-day challenges teams are facing.

She said: “This provided a valuable opportunity to speak with colleagues about the evolving demands of neighbourhood policing, the importance of maintaining visible local policing, and the challenges teams are facing day to day.

“Discussions were open and constructive, with a clear emphasis on resourcing, workload, and improving officer wellbeing while delivering a high-quality service to the community.”

Branch vice-chair Louise Ramshaw.

The Federation also attended the Response Policing Day, where officers from across response teams came together to share learning, operational experience, and best practices.

The event highlighted the professionalism and resilience of response officers, who continue to manage high-pressure workloads while adapting to changing demand and expectations. It also provided a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand concerns around staffing levels, fatigue, and the sustainability of current demand.

Durham Police Federation Secretary Phil Stephenson said face-to-face engagement remains vital to understanding members’ experiences and shaping ongoing discussions with Force leadership.

Member engagement

He said: “Undoubtedly, attending these events showed us just how valuable face-to-face engagement with our members is.

“These opportunities not only strengthen communication between officers and the Federation but also ensure that real operational experiences are reflected in ongoing discussions between the branch and key stakeholders, including Force leadership.”

Once again, NOSA provided a generous donation of nose plugs to the Federation, which were distributed to members across both events.

READ MORE: Branch secretary to support Police Unity Tour.