Luke Mitchell re-elected as chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation

9 June 2025

“Now is the time for us to move forward - together," says Luke Mitchell, having been re-elected as chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation, as he reaffirms his commitment to ensuring members’ voices are heard at every level.

With a renewed term ahead, Luke says he and his team have a clear plan, which puts trust, visibility, and member engagement at the heart of everything they do.

“The past three years have been difficult,” he said. “But it’s time to move forward, positively.

“My priority now is to gain the trust and confidence of our members, and that starts with listening, being visible, and showing that we are here to support them.”

 

Re-elected branch chair Luke Mitchell. 

 

Luke has stressed the importance of transparency, improved communication, and greater visibility from both full-time and workplace representatives. 

“I don’t want our reps to be out of sight. I want them speaking to members, hotdesking from stations, and making sure we’re hearing what’s happening on the ground,” said Luke, adding: “Our members should know who we are, what we do, and feel that we’re accessible and responsive.”

While listening to local concerns is vital, Luke is also passionate about aligning Hertfordshire’s voice with the national picture.

“We’re stronger together,” he said. “It’s important we deliver consistent messaging, not just about pay, but also about working conditions, wellbeing, and regulation changes. 

Understanding

“Our members deserve a uniform approach backed by a local understanding of the pressures they face.”

Under Luke’s leadership, the Federation will continue to hold both the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to account, ensuring officers’ needs and perspectives are not just heard but acted upon.

“We’re here to negotiate and influence on behalf of our members,” Luke continued. 

“And we’re here to ensure that when members need us, they’re supported - whether that’s during misconduct processes, welfare challenges, or just needing someone to talk to.”

He also emphasised the importance of showing members the full extent of what the Federation does behind the scenes. 

“As a Federation, we work very, very hard, but we need to get better at showing that work and proving our value. That means engaging, responding, and most of all, acting.”

Vision

A key part of Luke’s vision involves developing and empowering Federation reps at all levels.

“We’re going to make sure our reps get the training they need to be the best they can be. We need to utilise their skills, support them, up-skill them—and in turn, they’ll provide even better support to our members,” he added.

As he embarks on his new term, Luke remains focused on the values that matter most: transparency, visibility, and action.

He ended: “We have a real opportunity now to build on the foundations already in place, to become a Federation that’s trusted, consistent, and here for its membership.

“I’m proud to have been re-elected as chair of the branch, and look forward to this next chapter in the role.”

READ MORE: "I have a real drive to support my colleagues," says newly-elected branch secretary.