Important: vote now to choose your Fed reps

10 February 2025

Members are being urged to take an active part in choosing their workplace Federation representatives by fully engaging with the election process.

Voting, via an online portal, opened on 3 February, with the ballot closing on 23 February. The results will be confirmed on Thursday 27 February.

Northamptonshire Police Federation secretary Charlotte Pateman is calling on members to take an interest in the elections, find out more about who has put themselves forward and cast their vote according to who they feel will do the best job of representing and supporting the membership.

‘The Police Federation is going through an election process across all branches and the national office,” Charlotte explained, “This started at the end of December, when members were invited to nominate themselves for workplace representative roles and will continue for much of this year, ending on 1 October when the new National Board will take up their posts.

Get involved

“It can seem long-drawn-out but we really need members to engage with the process and to take part when invited to do so. Initially, that was about considering standing as a workplace rep, now it’s time for all members to vote for their favoured candidates and further down the line they will be asked to vote for their local chair and then the national chair.

“We are fully aware there has been criticism of the Federation recently but now is the time for the wider membership to get involved and be part of the change they want to see within the organisation.

“All members should have received an email informing them about the election and how to take part but if any member is unsure please get in touch with the Federation officials and we will be able to offer help.”

Those successful in the workplace reps election will form the new Northamptonshire Police Federation Branch Council. They can then put themselves forward to be elected to the Federation executive, the Branch Board, and, from there, a regional or a national role. 

Voting – frequently asked questions 

Q. Who can vote? 

A. Any member can vote so long as they were a member of the Federation two months before nominations opened - e.g. nominations open on 30 December, therefore it will be necessary to have been a member on 30 October 2024. 

Q. How do I vote? 

A. Voting will be online during the voting period - a link is provided to all members. 

Q. Why do I get 13 votes for 20 vacancies?

A. Every branch has both constituency and list seats, even if there is only one constituency. The number of constituency seats equals the total number minus the number of safeguarded seats for female and BAME reps.

The number of safeguarded seats is based on the percentages of female and BAME officers on 31 March 2019 (the date is specified in the current NEA [The National Electoral Arrangements], so it cannot be changed). Northants then had 33.45 per cent female officers and 3.70 per cent BAME officers. The figures are rounded down to the nearest 5 per cent for female officers, so 30 per cent of seats are reserved for female officers. The BAME figure is rounded to the nearest 0.1 per cent, therefore it is 3.70 per cent. The seat totals are also rounded so 30 per cent of 20 seats is 6 and 3.7 per cent of 20 seats is 1. Six seats are reserved for female officers and one for a BAME officer making seven in total.

Therefore, there are seven safeguarded seats and 13 constituency seats. That is why members can vote for 13 reps. Anyone who wants to read more should look at the NEA Rules 22-61 on the PFEW website.

Q. How will the Branch Council election results be announced? 

A. Once the voting period closes, candidates will be informed via email if they have been successful. Branches will also receive an electronic copy of the results, as will the national general secretary, who is the arbiter of the election process.

The elections process:

• Members vote for workplace reps (Branch Council)
• The Branch Council votes for the Branch Board members
• Members elect the local branch chair 
• The Branch Board elects the local branch secretary 
• The chairs and secretaries from branches across England and Wales make up the National Council 
• The National Council votes to elect the National Board 
• All members vote to elect the national chair 
• The National Board selects the general secretary 
• The National Board votes in the remaining principal officers.

Key upcoming dates in the Federation elections:

Branch boards 

17 March – Nominations open

6 April – Nominations close 

14 to 28 April – Voting takes place 

30 April – Results are announced

Branch chairs 

2 May – Nominations open

9 May – Nominations close 

13 to 27 May – Voting takes place 

28 May – Results are announced

1 June – Branch chair and other officials take office

READ MORE: Chair reacts to new Chief Constable appointment.