Experienced Hertfordshire Police Federation rep Sergeant Mike Dring says he is encouraged by the changes taking place at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

A rep for the past decade, Mike said he felt PFEW was moving in the right direction after a difficult and challenging period.

He said: “The Federation has changed massively at the national level, certainly since Mukund (Krishna) has become chief executive.

“In the past, we've had police officers who perhaps aren’t experienced in running a business, in charge of the national Fed.

Police Federation rep Sergeant Mike Dring

“It’s been professionalised a lot, and the right people and the right police officers are in there.

“There have been issues with the National Fed previously, and how they've made mistakes on things like pensions.

“We’ve started to put right some of the wrongs of the past, and there’s a vision for the future.”

That vision was shared with branch board members during a recent onboarding session, and Mike said his confidence in the organisation has grown as a result.

Mike, who joined Hertfordshire Police in 2001, said: “It outlined where the issues had been and what steps were being taken to fix them.

Focus

“There is a proper focus on joined-up working between branches and head office.”

He said that the push for continual professional development for all reps was one of the most important changes.

“We did not have that before,” said Mike. “I’m a conduct and discipline rep, so I had that course and then you were left to get on with it.

“I would get on with it by speaking to other officers within the Federation and on the Hertfordshire board and learning from their experience.

“Now there is a plan to make sure everyone has the right training to do the job effectively, which is good.”

Mike’s commitment to the Federation is rooted in personal experience. Early in his service he needed support from the branch and he wanted to give back to the Federation and to his colleagues.

Colleagues

He said: “I received really good assistance when I was younger and did not know the ropes as well as I do now. I never forgot that.”

His former inspector, Geoff Bardell, who is an ex-chair of Hertfordshire Police, encouraged him to become a rep.

Geoff recognised Mike’s negotiation skills from his days as an estate agent and his experience guiding younger officers as a tutor constable.

He has since represented officers at every stage of conduct and discipline processes. “Once an officer needs assistance, I stick with them all the way through,” he said. “It can be emotionally demanding because you live it alongside them, but it is very rewarding.”

With several local rep vacancies open, Mike is encouraging colleagues to think about stepping forward.

“You learn so much and you are helping your colleagues,” he said. “You never know what is coming next, and that is what makes it worthwhile.”

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