‘I was given the platform to tell my story’: Branch rep on FedConnect appearance

4 August 2025

After beginning life as a workplace representative earlier this year, Sergeant Chris was invited to the event by branch secretary Ben Hudson, who encouraged attendance from new reps to help with the acclimatisation to their roles.

FedConnect is an annual conference which brings members of the policing community together to discuss all matters important to the profession. This year, it took place on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 July at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey.

Over the two days, Chris contributed to discussions around everyday officer wellbeing, speaking to a range of guests including PFEW chair Tiff Lynch and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.

New Suffolk Fed rep Chris Smy.

The 42-year-old expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying: “When Ben asked if I wanted to attend, I was more than happy to – although, as someone still getting used to the Federation landscape, I wasn’t sure exactly what it would entail.

“As it turned out, I was given the platform to tell my story in the Force, basically.

“In recent years, my mental health deteriorated to a bad place, and the direct cause for that was my job in frontline policing. I got to my lowest point last year when I was feeling suicidal.

“My work had completely got on top of me and consumed me, and I felt alone, adrift and like there was no one around me who cared.

Candidate

“Thankfully, I am out of that place now, but I have no shame in talking earnestly about what I went through.”

Chris’ openness made him the perfect candidate for this topic at the event, as the conversation was geared around both the demands of the profession and the support in place for officers who feel the impact of these.

“Sometimes, it’s not even a particular incident that affects you – it can also be the general pressures of the job griding you down," he continued.

“Every day, police officers get up and throw themselves into all kinds of distress and adversity, and we can never lose sight of that or take it for granted.

“Having the chance to send that message out was a privilege, and I hope it can help to keep us all thinking about what we can to look after each other in the police.”

Connected

Chris, who currently leads a community policing team based in Lowestoft in his Force role, went on to urge Fed reps and members alike to get themselves involved with the likes of FedConnect.

He described the event as ‘great as a whole’ and ‘well worth it’ for anyone wanting to stay connected to the perspectives of fellow police officers.

“I also managed to speak to few other reps as well as officers from all over the country, and that was brilliant to get some tips and advice from them," he added.

“As someone just starting out but wanting to make a big impact in the Federation, that meant a lot to me.

“I would really encourage my peers to get themselves to next year’s edition, or to a similar event – for me, it’s clearly one of the best ways to discover what matters right now to the officers you serve.”

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