Kent Police Federation outlines how Brexit uncertainty is affecting officers

22 January 2019

Kent Police Federation wants members to receive proper notice of any change in their shift patterns as Brexit contingency planning intensifies.

New leave requests for the month after the 29 March Brexit deadline will not be considered, but the regulation 90-day notice for duty roster changes should remain, says Federation General Secretary Dan Pearce.

“As a Federation we are extremely sympathetic to the force and the challenges they are facing with Brexit,” he said.

“We, and they, are having to plan for a number of contingencies based on the limited information coming out of the Home Office.”

Because Brexit is just 11 weeks away the force has been unable to comply with the 90-day notice regulations he said.

“In trying to plan, the force has asked for volunteers to change their shift pattern with less than the required notice.

“It’s had a number of volunteers come forward to try and facilitate that, so members are trying to support the organisation, in the planning of the operation.

“But our position remains that officers should be afforded the required notice as per police regulations.”

The leave embargo has disappointed members, said Federation Chairman Chris Carter, but they understand the need for Brexit resilience.

“It’s obviously in our members’ interests to be told about moves like this with as much notice as possible, and it’s always disappointing when you get something like a leave embargo coming in for new leave because officers have got to juggle their personal responsibilities such as their family life that they may not have been able to plan for,” he said.

“The leave period covers a significant period of the school holidays, so it will be an inconvenience for many members that haven’t yet applied for leave.

“It was key for the force to put out that announcement as early as they could to give people time to plan and prepare for it, so whilst we didn’t welcome it, we do understand the need for it in terms of Brexit resilience.

“The force has consulted with us early on leave and Brexit and we’re engaged in both the gold and silver planning meetings. So, we’re engaged in every way.”

wants members to receive proper notice of any change in their shift patterns as Brexit contingency planning intensifies.

New leave requests for the month after the 29 March Brexit deadline will not be considered, but the regulation 90-day notice for duty roster changes should remain, says Federation General Secretary Dan Pearce.

“As a Federation we are extremely sympathetic to the force and the challenges they are facing with Brexit,” he said.

“We, and they, are having to plan for a number of contingencies based on the limited information coming out of the Home Office.”

Because Brexit is just 11 weeks away the force has been unable to comply with the 90-day notice regulations he said.

“In trying to plan, the force has asked for volunteers to change their shift pattern with less than the required notice.

“It’s had a number of volunteers come forward to try and facilitate that, so members are trying to support the organisation, in the planning of the operation.

“But our position remains that officers should be afforded the required notice as per police regulations.”

The leave embargo has disappointed members, said Federation Chairman Chris Carter, but they understand the need for Brexit resilience.

“It’s obviously in our members’ interests to be told about moves like this with as much notice as possible, and it’s always disappointing when you get something like a leave embargo coming in for new leave because officers have got to juggle their personal responsibilities such as their family life that they may not have been able to plan for,” he said.

“The leave period covers a significant period of the school holidays, so it will be an inconvenience for many members that haven’t yet applied for leave.

“It was key for the force to put out that announcement as early as they could to give people time to plan and prepare for it, so whilst we didn’t welcome it, we do understand the need for it in terms of Brexit resilience.

“The force has consulted with us early on leave and Brexit and we’re engaged in both the gold and silver planning meetings. So, we’re engaged in every way.”