Custody experience led to Fed rep role

1 April 2020

Sergeant Mike Dring says it was ‘a natural progression’ to become a Federation workplace representative after 12 years’ experience as a custody sergeant.

And, he admits, being able to help people from across the various areas of the Force was one of the main reasons he put himself forward for the role.

He has been a rep for fewer than two years after being elected in May 2018 and says he is loving the challenge.

“It’s really enjoyable,” said Mike, “As an elected rep, you find lots of people asking you for advice on numerous situations. I have assisted an officer through the attendance management process and achieved a solution agreeable to everyone which was very satisfying.

“The challenges are not knowing the answer to something and having to find out the answer.”

He added: “There are two reasons I put myself forward. I have required the assistance of the Fed in my role as a custody sergeant on a couple of occasions.

“As a custody sergeant of 12 years, I find a lot of people gravitate towards you asking for advice and you get to meet lots of people from across different departments within the Force so when I was asked to put myself forward I thought it was a natural progression.”

Mike joined the Federation as a member in August 2001 after being given some sound advice early in his career.

“I was told in no uncertain terms during my initial training that they would be your friend if you needed assistance in times of need,” he explained. “Never a truer word was spoken!”

And he says that more than 18 years on, Hertfordshire Police Federation continues to put officers at the heart of its work.

“The current leadership of Herts Fed has put officer welfare at the forefront of everything they do,” he said, “Examples being the purchase of the holiday home and the welfare van.”

Mike added: “Always approach your local Fed rep if you are unsure of anything. We are here to help, assist and guide.”

Mike joined the police in 2001. He has worked on the intervention and safer neighbourhood teams in Stevenage as a constable and as a sergeant, and at various times during his service has worked within a police support unit (PSU) and as a hostage and crisis negotiator.

He moved to custody in 2008 and has worked in the role ever since.

Since becoming a Federation rep, Mike has attended the new reps’ course at the Federation’s headquarters in Leatherhead and also the conduct and performance course. He has been asked to undertake Post-Incident Procedures (PIP) training later this year so he can help with Post-Incident Management.

His special area of interest for the Federation is custody.

“I have attended the Federation Regional Custody Forum and most recently the Federation National Custody Forum meetings on behalf of Hertfordshire,” he said.

Mike says there are a number of challenges facing Hertfordshire Police Federation, the Force and policing more generally.

“The challenge for Hertfordshire Police Federation is to ensure that the new officers joining the Constabulary find the Federation as relevant and join at the start of their service at a time when their enthusiasm is at its highest,” he said.

“For the Force, it’s training a large number of inexperienced officers who will be joining the service over the next few years.

“And for policing generally it’s ensuring officers see it as a vocation and a career, not just a job for a short period of time.”