‘Things won’t change unless you make it happen’

18 November 2020

Sergeant Dan Jones may be in his first few months as a Police Federation rep but he brings 18 years of policing experience to the role.

Dan, who became a rep during the summer, says he is enjoying the chance to be able to help and support colleagues.

“After 18 years of being the cynical ‘what does the Fed do for me?’ I decided to join and share my views and experiences from across the Force to improve the conditions for those I work with,” explained Dan, who is deputy Force incident manager.

“My current job role provides an insight across the organisation – working alongside front-line officers, detectives and specialist units.

“Using the feedback and observations from these teams, enables my input to the branch to be evidence based across the board.

“Being the newbie, I’ve yet to play much of an active role but I’m relishing the opportunity to support colleagues who need the help on offer.”

Dan has not needed the support of the Federation so far in his career, but admitted that could change at any point.

“I’ve been one of those fortunate officers in 18 years of service to not need the expertise and support of the Federation,” he said.

“Like many, I often thought, ‘why shall I keep paying? What does it do for me?’.

“The answer is simple really; doing the job we do, at any point, day or night, we may need that support on the end of a phone. A friend in a hearing. A subsidised break to recuperate. A contribution to a team event. Someone to challenge on your behalf.

“That’s what the Fed does. And will continue to do.”

Dan had his initial rep training cancelled because of the pandemic, but he’s already set out his priorities in his new role.

“Ensuring that officers are aware of their rights and entitlements, and the support on offer from the Federation,” he said.

“Once my initial rep’s course is complete, I’ll look to support those officers who need it and promote the good work and support available from the Federation.

“The challenge is striking the balance between what is desirable and what is reality, and meeting the expectations of officers,” he added.

What other challenges does he see for the Federation?

“Force HQ development raises questions as to where the Fed will be based medium term,” he said. “Herts Fed has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, putting welfare at the forefront, the caravan for rent, the welfare support van to name a few.

“Hopefully, this can continue, and the Federation can truly be there to support officers.”

Dan joined the Force in 2002 and lists a string of highlights to date including policing the G8 in Cardiff, the London Olympics in 2012 and football spotting for Watford Football Club.

He has also twice been Herts Safer Neighbourhood Team Officer of the Year, was third in Jane’s Police Review National Officer of the Year and has made some life-long friends along the way.

And with that wealth of experience he can see challenges ahead for the Force and for policing more generally.

“Policing is always under constant scrutiny and the challenges of the last year clearly demonstrate that,” he said. “We find ourselves in a position where the environment we police is changing more than ever, and as an organisation, we have to respond to that, with those that work here being key to that delivery.

“Front-line cops are under such demand – from the public, from Government, from the organisation. We need to look out for one another, support one another and remember we’re all part of the same team.

“Policing is and always be a constant rollercoaster. We join knowing that we’ll be today’s headlines one day, and tomorrow’s chip paper the next.

“We need to evolve but remain true to those principles established 150 years ago,” Dan added.

So, what would he say to anyone thinking of becoming a Fed rep?

“Things won’t change unless you make it happen,” he said.