“I have a real drive to support my colleagues and speak up for our members.”

4 June 2025

“I have a real drive to support my colleagues and speak up for our members.”

Those are the words of Dean Cornish, the newly elected secretary of Hertfordshire Police Federation.

Dean first joined the Force in 2003, wanting to pursue a career that allowed him to be ‘out and about’.

“It sounds cliche, but I just wanted to make a difference,” said 46-year-old Dean, adding: “And I wanted a job that excited me, and policing gave me that.

“I wanted to help people - and I’m still passionate about helping people now, I’m just helping a different set of people now.”

He prides himself on being a ‘good communicator’ and a ‘people person’, two skills that he feels have helped him in his role as a Federation rep, and now as secretary.

Full-time rep

Dean became a full-time Fed rep in 2021.

“I found that my colleagues were coming to me for support and advice,” continued Dean.

“I would give my opinion and also speak up for others who felt they didn’t have a voice.

“And my desire to support my colleagues as a full-time Fed rep grew from there.

“I care about my colleagues, probably to my detriment at times as the full time Reps give everything to their colleagues at their time of need. As a Fed rep, you end up living their issues and problems with them.

 

Newly-elected branch secretary, Dean Cornish.

 

“Having been in the job yourself, you understand the pain they are feeling.

“It’s wanting to support my colleagues - our members – and if I can that make their situation that little bit better to be able to deal with, then that’s why we give so much to our role.”

Dean said that the role of a Fed rep comes with its own challenges, especially because for him, the role is 24/7.

The father-of-two said: “It’s round-the-clock support. I might be out watching my boys play football, but on the phone to someone who needs me, for that reassurance, just someone to sound off at. But that’s just how it is.

“Our members might not always get the outcome they want - and we can’t always help that.

Members

“But when they are under investigation and we believe that is unjustified, I will give everything for our members and the people I’m supporting or representing.”

Dean, who admits he can be seen as the ‘father figure’ to some, says that he is especially passionate about supporting new recruits.

“You don’t realise how much trauma you’ve experienced until you really reflect on your career,” said Dean, who is determined to use his communication skills to make change and influence.

“Some of the new recruits are so young - they’re younger than my eldest son. Now that doesn’t mean they’re not right for the role as a Officer, but it does mean they can lack life experience. I want to be there for those recruits and make sure the correct support is in place to protect them throughout their career.”

Dean’s tenure as secretary comes months after Andy Prophet was appointed as Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Police and Andy Mariner as the new Deputy Chief Constable, in May.

Relationships

“We all want the same for our members,” said Dean, adding: “And I’m looking forward to forming and building relationships with senior officers, so we can create the best working environment for officers.

“This is a fresh new chapter for us, and I’m feeling optimistic about the future.”

Reflecting on the challenges he anticipates, Dean says it must be a priority of the Federation to rebuild trust with the membership.

“It’s no secret that there have been a lot of issues surrounding the Federation nationally, but it’s time to move on and build trust with our members,” he added.

“To do this, we need to be better at communication and we need to remain focused on the local Federation. 

“We will try and influence the national Federation when we can, and ensure we are all singing from the same sheet across the 43 forces. But ultimately, our priority must be Hertfordshire police officers.”

Confidence

As well as regaining confidence and trust with members, Dean said he will prioritise influencing the Chief Constable to make changes for the benefit of members.

“There is a lot of change happening within Hertfordshire Police and we will be there to support our members as we navigate through those changes,” added Dean.

“We will remain that critical friend to the Force, as we proudly represent members and give them a voice.

“Ultimately, if we can do the best for our members, then they will, in turn, provide the best service for the public - and surely that’s what we should all be aiming for?”

Dean ended by shining a light on all of the full-time Federation representatives, saying that they ‘all have the same mission, drive and ambitions’.

“There is a refreshed enthusiasm within the Federation, and we are all driving forward as one team,” he said.

READ MORE: Fed demands action over unpaid compensation.