‘Honoured’ Fed rep outlines commitments to members

29 October 2025

He may be new to the role, but Suffolk Police Federation’s Chris Smy says life as a workplace representative has already proved to be ‘eye-opening’.

Chris became a rep earlier this year after deciding he wanted to contribute to the Federation. 

Having joined policing as a Special, he moved to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) after four years, before rejoining Suffolk Constabulary two years later as a regular officer.

Following a decade in constable duties, Chris began acting as a sergeant and made the permanent step-up last year.

He says it’s within this rank – currently leading a community policing team in Lowestoft – that his ambitions to help colleagues have taken shape.

 

Suffolk Police Federation rep Chris Smy.

 

“Since becoming a sergeant, I’ve definitely noticed a lot more welfare issues, stemming from both work and home life,” Chris explained.

“It’s that experience which made me think about becoming a Fed rep, and fortunately, I was elected the first time I seriously considered it.

“Before this, I always saw the Federation as a solid base of support for officers, so it’s a big honour to now be part of that. I’m excited for the road ahead.”

Federation support

Beyond his general longstanding admiration, the 44-year-old is keen to give back to the Federation for the specific support it has provided during his career.

In 2015, the branch backed him to a positive outcome when Suffolk Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department (PSD) investigated him for the use of excessive force.

More recently, he was part of a post-incident procedure (PIP), where his own Fed rep stood by him throughout and helped to secure a resolution of no further action.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling of being supported like that – I suppose it’s just that crucial extra blanket that keeps you grounded and stops your mind from going to dark places,” Chris said.

Reassurance

“The reassurance someone needs in those moments was there for me, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.

“Policing can be a lonely place at times, so I want to be that person for other officers now – not just in the critical incidents, but in the everyday too.”

Alongside welfare and misconduct matters, Chris hopes to help Specials and young-in-service officers in his workplace representative duties.

“From the start, branch secretary Ben Hudson told me there was so much out there as a rep – more than I realised, to be honest,” he continued.

“It’s already been eye-opening. Health and safety is another area I want to get involved in, as that’s been one I didn’t know there was so much regulation around, but now I do, and I completely get why it’s all in place.”

Supporting members

Nevertheless, as he progresses with training, he remains committed to supporting members through all kinds of adversity.

He ended: “While I think it’s good to have targets, I want to remain open to anything and just help where I can. I want to get the basics right, and then I think everything else will fall into place.

“I’m very excited to see what’s to come and for the variety of the role, and I’m very proud take this next step in my career – hopefully, I can help make a positive difference to the lives of my colleagues.”

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