Fed rep Kris focused on supporting supervisors to strengthen the Force

13 May 2026

Supporting supervisors in order to help the Force continue to improve is at the heart of Kris Williams’s approach to being a North Wales Police Federation rep.

A detective inspector, Kris is just over a year into his Fed rep role, and he has a clear sense of where he can help make a difference.

“For me, the key part is that I want to contribute to the organisation by supporting supervisors to manage their staff.

“It’s helping them to understand that is what you can do to support their staff, and the processes around that.”

Kris, who has nearly 25 years of policing experience under his belt, transferred to North Wales Police from Greater Manchester Police around five years ago.

 

Detective inspector Kris Williams

 

And while some officers feel a calling to become a Federation rep, Kris only looked into it after a colleague told him he would be suited to the role.

“I didn’t set out wanting to be a Fed rep,” he said. “A colleague approached me and said, ‘have you considered being a Fed rep?’

“He said I was level-headed, sensible and approachable, which was nice to hear.

“It did make me stop and think because it wasn’t something I’d considered before.”

For Kris there were a few things to consider before he agreed to become a rep, including concerns about taking on the extra work and how being a rep might be perceived by senior leaders.

Training

Kris said: “I did have reservations about the additional work.

“And the perception of you because you’re talking about representing your colleagues and potentially arguing their case with bosses.

“I had a chat with my colleague and it was clear it's all very professional, and they understand that you're there to do a job. I felt more comfortable.”

He officially became a Fed rep around a year ago, completing his training last summer.

There was an initial nervousness, as there can be for many new reps

“You do the initial course, you go through the regulations and think it all makes sense,” he said.

Force policy

“Then when you’re faced with a real situation, you start thinking, are we right about this?

“But a lot of the time, it's a case of looking at the regs, looking at the force policy, and then applying common sense.

“It’s about getting the member’s point across while respecting the fact that we all work for the same organisation and we’re giving our time to do this role part-time.”

As a detective inspector himself, he sees part of his role to represent detectives and inspectors, two groups he feels can sometimes be underrepresented.

Kris said: “Detectives, certainly, and inspector rank as well, we’re a bit thin on the ground. So there’s a responsibility there.”

Indeed, Kris recognises the challenges supervisors face, particularly sergeants.

Statements

He said: “Sergeants are really under the cosh at the moment. Every time something new comes along, it feels like it lands on the sergeant’s desk. Very little ever gets taken away.

“We’ve got younger sergeants than ever before, some stepping into temporary roles very early in their careers.

“There’s still a bit of a hangover from Covid, too. People joined in very unusual circumstances.

“Training was online, there was no nighttime economy and statements were taken over the phone.

“There was limited exposure to the full breadth of policing.”

Policing

He added: “I think some younger or temporary sergeants worry that if they make the wrong decision, they’ll be reverted.

“I’ve found that’s not the case. The organisation is far more focused on learning. Unless something is reckless, they’ll be supported.”

And it is because of these challenges that Kris wants to help supervisors, and ultimately the Force.

“When I joined policing, sergeants were avuncular figures who carried a degree of respect, and kept everything working through the night,” he said

“If I can help supervisors feel more confident, supported and informed, that benefits everyone, that includes officers, victims, and the organisation as a whole.”

READ MORE.... stories like this in our latest online Federation magazine.