Get to know your Federation reps: Claire Yates

28 September 2021

Claire Yates has been a Suffolk Police Federation workplace rep for three years.

She became a rep because she was interested in taking on roles which helped fellow officers and draws on the wealth of experience gained from a long career on the frontline to do so.

She said: “I like to think I bring compassion and approachability to the role as people often come to me due to my frontline role. My priorities are to try to learn my trade and be more competent so I can assist officers, learning all the time.”

Claire admitted the role of a workplace rep could be challenging.

She said: “I am challenged on a daily basis! Knowledge retention and technology are my biggest challenges. Any Fed reps will know I doubt myself, I worry that I can’t give officers the best service due to my lack of knowledge.

“All members are really patient but, in all, the struggles I have are the technology and getting to grips with the procedures and forms in terms of computer recording of the work.”

She said she always tried to deal with people fairly and told officers considering a role as a Federation rep: “If you are happy for awkward conversations and want to make sure officers are treated properly, then go ahead.”

According to Claire, the main challenges facing the Police Federation include providing suitable training and getting the right people for the job as well as ensuring the Force takes measures to improve officer retention.

She said the Federation should also concentrate on mental health issues of staff and officer welfare following the coronavirus pandemic.

Claire joined the Force on 2 October 2000 and has spent her 21-year career on frontline policing on NRT with seven years at Sudbury and 14 years at Ipswich.

During this time she has taken on a number of roles and continues to carry out the following roles: TRiM, PSU, FLO, MOE.