Get to know your Fed reps: James Stopford

10 February 2022

Sergeant James Stopford became a Hertfordshire Police Federation workplace representative after receiving support from the organisation when he feared his job might be on the line.

James said the reassurance he received at the time helped him decide he wanted to do the same for others so put himself forward as a Fed rep in 2017.

He said the most rewarding and enjoyable aspect of the role was being given the opportunity to represent colleagues although he acknowledged balancing time between the day job and helping members can sometimes be tough.

Reflecting on his decision to stand as a Fed rep, he said: “I received a complaint and at the time my wife was pregnant so I had all the worry and fear about losing my job.

“My local Fed rep at the time was so supportive and reassuring that it made me want to do that for others.

“I genuinely care about the wellbeing and welfare of officers. I think those words in particular are thrown around now by organisations that don’t then do anything to improve situations.

“I enjoy talking to our members and am determined to resolve as many issues for them as I can. That feeling where you’ve had a good result for someone, even if it’s something minor, gives me a great sense of personal pride.”

The pandemic has meant James’ Police Federation training has been limited but he said he hoped to get on a course this year to start learning a specialist field and representing more members.

James became a police officer in 2013 after opting against entering higher education.

He said: “It’s a bit of a cliché but I wanted a job that was different every day. I had enough of studying by the time I reached 18 so was considering different options and policing was the most appealing.

“Unfortunately, there was a recruitment freeze at the time but it allowed me to join as a PCSO and gain some skills that I needed at that stage in my life to get me ready to become a PC. I was a PCSO between 2008 and 2013.”

James, who is a PDU sergeant based at Watford and supports new students joining under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) scheme, warned officer retention could become a serious issue for the police service as many experienced officers sought opportunities elsewhere.

And he said the growing problem would inevitably have a knock-on effect for Hertfordshire Police Federation.

He said: “Members are coming to us regarding financial debt and retention. With stagnant wages for PCs and real-term pay cuts for those at the top of their rank pay ladders, more and more officers are looking at other options for work that pay very similar wages as well as affording them a better work-life balance.

“Although we are seeing recruitment numbers rise, the loss of that experience out the other door is an area of massive concern.

“The increase in recruitment numbers is good but when most young officers join they are still living at home with family.

“It’s when they take that next step in life, moving out with a partner and/or friends that they realise Herts is too expensive to join the property ladder so are moving further and further away, either then not wanting to stay in policing or joining a nearer force for a better work-life balance.”

James said the Police Federation nationally had to shed some of its baggage from years gone by – specifically the bad reputation that still lingers around the pension challenge - despite none of the current leadership being in post when those decisions were being made.

And as a word of advice for new officers just joining the Force, he said: “Enjoy every minute of your career – across my roles I’ve now been here for over 14 years and it’s disappeared in a flash.

“Remember you now have an increased responsibility that your friends who aren’t in the police may not - you’ve worked hard to join the police so be proud of your job and make those difficult choices around social media groups if you aren’t comfortable in chat groups.”