New reps join Federation

26 March 2025

Northamptonshire Police Federation now has seven new workplace representatives to offer support and advice to members.

Mia Ball, Steve Chatburn, Ashleigh Houlden, Craig Johnson, Caroline McCabe, Sean Watters and Sidney Wright have become part of the Federation’s Branch Council.

They join 15 reps who are returning to their roles after an election process which is ongoing in all 43 Federation branches across England and Wales and within the national Federation.

They are: Current chair Sam Dobbs, current secretary Charlotte Pateman, Dan Ashford, Becca Blackmore, Tim Britton, Ken Brown, Ben Howe, Chris Johnson, Alan McMahon, Robert Monk, Nick Paul, Stuart Rands, Andrew Walker, Jimmy White and Sarah Whitehead.

Branch chair Sam Dobbs.

Sam has welcomed the new reps to the branch.

“It is always encouraging when officers take an interest in the work the Federation does and then put themselves forward to get more involved,” says Sam, “Workplace reps provide critical support to their colleagues and are often the first point of contact for members seeking information or advice.

“I hope these new reps will soon receive their induction training so they can provide Federation support to members and I look forward to working with them.

“But I also want to acknowledge the commitment shown by those reps who are continuing in their post for the next triennial period. It can be difficult for workplace reps to balance their repping work with their role in the Force and their home life, so I really appreciate that we have so many reps returning to the branch council as they can not only support the members but also share their experience to help develop those starting out as reps for the first time.”

Commitment

The Federation’s elections, which are spread over a nine-month period began on 30 December when nominations opened for members to put themselves forward for election as a workplace representative.

On Monday (17 March), nominations opened for workplace reps on the branch council to seek election to the executive, the branch board. Voting will take place among the reps from 14 to 28 April. The branch board then elects the secretary.

Nominations will open for the branch chair on 2 May, with all members of Northamptonshire Police Federation encouraged to vote using an online portal which will be open from 13 to 27 May. The branch chair will be announced on 28 May and they, along with other elected branch officials, will take up their posts on 1 June.

All members across England and Wales will be invited to vote for a national chair from 30 June to 14 July and the successful candidate will be in office on 1 August.

The election process ends on 1 October when the new National Board will be in place.

READ MORE: Being a 'full-time' rep is just that, says Fed chair.