Luke takes up role of branch chair

23 May 2022

New Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell has vowed to keep officers’ interests at the forefront of the branch’s work and promised to listen to members’ concerns.

Luke takes over the role from Geoff Bardell, who retired after this year's annual conference, having served as vice-chair since 2018.

He said officer welfare would always be at the heart of the branch’s work but added he would be stepping up the campaign for better pay and conditions for officers as he warned of a looming crisis within the police service.

“One of the biggest angles that I will be looking at is the biggest crisis in policing which is still terms and conditions,” he said.

“Things were pretty bad under Theresa May and I didn’t think it could get any worse but in 2022 the job is unrecognisable and we are absolutely at crisis point in terms of being able to recruit and retain officers.

“We are losing people left right and centre and I've got officers telling me they can’t even afford to drive into work.

“Something has to be done about it. Inflation is now at nine per cent and we might get a two-and-a-half per cent pay rise on the back of a ten-year pay freeze.

“I honestly can’t see how it is financially viable for a 21-year-old to join the police service and unless that issue is sorted out then we are in serious trouble.”

Luke said he was under no illusion about the challenges ahead but pledged to work hard to keep pay and conditions high up on the political agenda.

“I will be pushing that agenda. I am not saying that I will be able to change things quickly but I am certainly going to be vocal about it,” he said.

“I will be keeping the pressure on our executive team and MPs and the PCC because ultimately, if we can’t recruit and retain new officers, then we are facing a crisis that will affect the people of Hertfordshire and they deserve far better.

“And I am not crying wolf. This is reality. It is happening and I see it day-to-day. We are really struggling.”

Luke said he was confident he has the experience and working knowledge to take over the role of chair.

Speaking ahead of his first day in office, he said: “I have been active within the Police Federation for 12 or 13 years now, coming onto the branch board and than being trained over the years in health and safety and conduct and then becoming more and more involved  in these surrounding Theresa May's stance as Home Secretary.

“I then supported Geoff in his campaign to become chair and when he was elected I became vice-chair.

“When Geoff decided to retire he was very keen that I should take over and I am really looking forward to the challenge.

“I've got a really good understanding of what Geoff’s been doing but there are going to be certain elements that will take some getting used to in terms of speaking at a more executive level and leading at a more strategic level.

“But Geoff has encouraged me and given me the energy to take things forward and take over the work he has been doing.”

The new chair said he was fully aware of the difficulties often faced by police officers with young families.

He said: “I am married with young kids so I do understand the complexities of shift work, I do understand what it is like spinning family life with a full-time job, I do know what it is like having young children and the demands that they bring.”

And he said he would also be encouraging members to voice any concerns about the role of the Police Federation in their working lives.

He said: “I think it’s really important that members come in and talk to us, our door is always open.

“I see a lot of frustration from members on social media about the Police Federation and I understand their concerns, I get it, especially officers like myself who are in that pensions trap and have had a raw deal and weren't really looked after by the Federation when the various reviews came out.

“But we are where we are at the moment and I just want officers to know that we will give all our members a gold plated service but they must come and speak to us.

“I’ve got an open door and I’m big enough and strong enough to take the flak so if people have got an issue then I want them to come and speak to me about it.