PFEW Annual Conference: Key takeaways and what they mean for members

22 October 2026

Better mental health support, fairer pay, less paperwork and a stronger Federation were among the priorities discussed as the PFEW Annual Conference 2026 opened on Wednesday 21 October.

With the theme ‘The Real State of Policing’, the Conference brought together Federation leaders and representatives to discuss the issues affecting officers every day and what needs to change.

The first day delivered a major funding announcement, important campaign updates and a clear recognition that more must be done to support members.

 

Day one of the PFEW conference

Picture credit: Anderson Photography

Here's what you need to know.

More funding to support officers' mental health

Policing Minister Sarah Jones announced £2.4 million to improve mental health and trauma support across policing.

The funding is intended to strengthen specialist trauma services, expand psychological risk assessments and improve access to confidential, round-the-clock mental health support.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary will also review existing arrangements to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

The announcement followed an address from acting deputy national chair Paul Williams, who spoke about the everyday realities of policing.

He highlighted the impact of heavy workloads, staff shortages and the pressures officers face when trying to balance their professional and personal lives.

The Conference also paused to remember colleagues who had lost their lives, with delegates observing the Roll of Honour.

A reminder of why Federation support matters

Former West Midlands Police detective inspector and operational firearms commander Rebecca Kalam shared a deeply personal account of challenging discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Rebecca spoke about the impact of her experiences on her career, health and family, as well as the difficulties she encountered while seeking support.

She said West Midlands Police admitted liability on 75 allegations during employment tribunal proceedings, but no officer had received a misconduct sanction.

Rebecca was medically retired in July 2023 after being diagnosed with complex PTSD and generalised anxiety disorder.

Her experience highlighted why members need reliable, compassionate representation when dealing with challenging workplace situations.

She urged Federation representatives to remember three things when supporting someone: see them, hear them and stay with them.

Her closing words resonated strongly: “You may have 20 cases. That member only has one, and it’s their whole world.”

The fight for fair pay continues

Police pay and working conditions were firmly on the agenda as acting national secretary Mel Warnes called for significant improvements.

She criticised the Government for failing to deliver the above-inflation pay increase recommended by the Police Remuneration Review Body.

Mel also highlighted the Review Body's description of the treatment of the policing workforce as ‘exploitation’.

With officers unable to take industrial action, she argued that a fairer system for determining pay and conditions is essential.

The Federation continues to push for collective bargaining and binding arbitration to give officers a stronger voice.

Mel also raised concerns about maternity support leave, family-friendly working policies and lengthy misconduct investigations.

As she approaches retirement after more than 30 years in policing, she urged colleagues to keep fighting for the improvements members deserve.

New support for members affected by wrongdoing

One of the day's key developments was the launch of WAVES, the Federation's new Witness and Victim Engagement Support programme.

WAVES has been created to help members who have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment, misconduct, criminal behaviour or other unlawful treatment involving police personnel.

The programme will provide confidential advice, guidance and practical assistance, delivered through local branches and a central coordination team.

The aim is to ensure that members feel listened to, supported and informed when dealing with difficult situations.

As National Board member Belinda Goodwin explained: “WAVES puts the focus back on the person, not just the process.”

Progress towards cutting unnecessary paperwork

There was encouraging news for officers frustrated by the time spent preparing prosecution case files.

The Federation's four-year #SimplifyDG6 campaign has helped drive changes to national disclosure guidance, with the updated DG7 guidance expected to be published within weeks.

Ben Hudson, Suffolk Police Federation secretary and chair of the National Detectives' Forum, shared results from trials of the new approach.

In Cheshire, the changes have saved 5,000 officer hours. In Kent, initial findings showed a 37 per cent reduction in file-building time.

The reforms could make a significant difference to officers' workloads, allowing more time for investigating crime and less time completing unnecessary paperwork.

However, Ben stressed that proper training and consistent implementation will be essential.

Changes planned to strengthen the Federation

The Conference also provided an opportunity for Federation leaders to address concerns about the organisation's future.

During an open panel discussion, Paul Williams, Mel Warnes and interim chief executive officer Gabriel Miland acknowledged the impact of recent national leadership events on confidence in PFEW.

They explained how a transformation programme, informed by 49 recommendations from independent reviews, aims to improve the way the organisation operates.

Among the proposals are replacing the separate national chair and secretary roles with one general secretary, reducing the size of the National Board and introducing independent non-executive directors.

The changes are intended to improve transparency, strengthen accountability and ensure the Federation is better equipped to represent its members.

Mel reinforced the importance of the work ahead, saying: “This is a Federation that's worth fighting for.”

The Conference continues today (Thursday 22 October), with further discussions on the issues that matter most to officers across England and Wales.

READ MORE: PFEW panel addresses future of national Federation at Annual Conference.