Fed chair says Home Secretary left him feeling ‘deflated’ after informative conference

12 October 2023

The chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation says he left this year’s annual conference feeling ‘deflated’ after hearing the Home Secretary sidestep important issues within policing.

Luke Mitchell says Suella Braverman had the opportunity to reassure thousands of officers that she ‘had their back’ when addressing this year’s annual conference but, instead, ‘gave nothing’.

His comments come after the Home Secretary failed to sign off the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Medals for Heroes campaign - an action that was anticipated by so many watching the online two-day event.

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell said he was "disappointed" with the Home Secretary's speech to conference.

“I don’t want to attack the Government but facts are facts - I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed with the Home Secretary’s speech at this year’s conference,” said Luke.

“The conference gives the Home Secretary the chance to let thousands of officers know that she supports them, but she didn’t. In my opinion, she offered no reassurance.

“It’s the seemingly straightforward tasks that I struggle to get my head around, like the posthumous medal for our fallen colleagues. I feel sorry for the families who are fighting so hard for their loved ones, who made the ultimate sacrifice, to be recognised - yet, the Home Secretary made it sound so difficult. It goes to show where her priorities are. 

“It’s no wonder that our members have little trust and confidence in the Government.

“The Government is forcing through changes to the police misconduct process at speed, but something as simple as the Medals for Heroes campaign seems to drag on and on, why is that?”

During her keynote speech at this year’s conference, which was broadcast to members online, Ms Braverman voiced her support for the Medals for Heroes campaign but failed to sign it off.

Ms Braverman did, however, use her speech to launch the new 24/7 mental health crisis helpline for all current and former members of the police service and staff.

She was also able to find new money for the rollout, depending on successful trials, of the new T10 Taser, pledging to ensure officers had access to the best available tech and kit wherever possible.

She also announced 2,000 police investigators will receive new rape and sexual assault training by April 2024 and that all new recruits will receive compulsory rape and sexual offence training.

Luke added: “Is the Home Secretary’s speech full of empty promises? I hope, for the sake of our members, that her words turn into actions. I’m concerned that without her taking action, things will only get worse for policing.

“My question is, why can’t these live conversations with the Home Secretary take place more often? They could all be online, so she wouldn’t have to travel. But having them perhaps every quarter, instead of just once a year, I think, would be very useful for our membership.”

Speaking about the conference as a whole, Luke heaped praise on the event.

“The two days were packed full of some seriously interesting and useful conversations,” continued Luke, who felt the online event worked well for members who were able to easily access the sessions.

“In Hertfordshire, we supported the view of a conference online, we have to make every pound work for our members. Having it in person is too costly and isn’t value for money, but by doing it online we have saved more than £500,000 of our members' money. 

“I hope that the discussions and debates gave our members an insight into what’s been going on and how we are putting the correct plans in place to hopefully overcome the various challenges the Federation is facing and to rebuild the trust of our members”.

Reflecting on Mukund Krishna's 'clear and honest' speech that kicked off the second day of conference, Luke said he 'has every faith' that the PFEW CEO will move the Federation forward.

He ended: “Mukund will be pivotal in getting the Federation to a place it needs to be over the next two years."

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