Putting members first: Hertfordshire Fed introduces weekend shifts

15 May 2026

Hertfordshire Police Federation has introduced routine weekend working for its full-time representatives to increase visibility and support for members.

The branch is thought to be the first in England and Wales to have a seven-day working week.

Under the new operating model, full-time Fed reps are working from police stations across the Force area both on weekends and during the week.

Branch chair Luke Mitchell said: “I think we’re the first in the country to do this.

“Full-time officers have always been available to support members 24/7, but now we’re going to be working from police stations to support members over the weekend.

Weekend working

“We’ve implemented a seven-day footprint across the organisation, and members are already telling us it’s making a difference.”

The initiative has been running for five weeks and forms part of a three-month pilot. Rather than operating from headquarters Monday to Friday, Federation officials now hot-desk across stations and position themselves where issues arise.

Luke said that weekend working allows reps to engage with officers in a different way.

He said: “A lot of our work in the week is regulated, so working with partners such as barristers, law firms, and legal work.

 

 

“But at the weekend, there's more time to be off laptops, engaging with members, being in briefings, working across the stations, speaking to people, and getting that real understanding about what's going on in the Force or what we need to deal with.

“We're dealing with things a lot earlier, and even resolving issues before they become a problem.

“It’s the same for supervisors as well. We’re helping managers with issues such as how they can support people back into the work environment.”

Feedback from members has been strongly positive.

Officers have reported that there is more opportunity to catch up with Fed reps and more time for meaningful conversations. Senior leadership teams have also welcomed the chance to catch up on matters, Luke said.

Leadership

Fed reps have also welcomed the approach, saying that it’s allowed them to attend neighbourhood policing team and CID briefings, and to iron out problems quickly.

One rep described having ‘a complete free day without lots of calls’ to focus on member engagement.

Luke said the change was part of an evolution within the Federation following the pandemic, aimed at boosting visibility and increasing engagement.

He said: “I don't need to be in an office at headquarters away from everybody.

“I can work anywhere across the county, position myself there for a day, and that's what we're encouraging.

“We want to be more visible, but it has been a cultural shift for the branch. The next stage is making sure we’re visible at weekends as well.

“Hopefully, it shows members that we're constantly trying to improve and be visible for them.”

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