Witness and Victim Engagement Support
The Witness and Victim Engagement Support programme (WAVES) is here to help Federation members who have experienced, witnessed, or been affected by unlawful treatment involving police personnel.
Support is available for a range of concerns including criminal acts, police misconduct, harassment, discrimination, victimisation or detrimental treatment as a result of whistleblowing.
WAVES can provide support where concerns involve:
- A police officer
- A member of police staff
- A police volunteer
And you:
- Have witnessed unlawful treatment involving police personnel
- Have experienced victimisation after reporting or witnessing unlawful treatment
- Have been affected by recent or historic incidents
The service offers confidential advice, guidance and support to help you understand your options and access the assistance you need.
WAVES is being introduced through a phased rollout across the Federation. During this period, support may be delivered differently depending on your area, but all members will be able to access advice and guidance on the support available to them.
What WAVES does not normally cover
- Incidents arising from routine policing interactions with members of the public. These matters are usually supported through your force's local processes and support arrangements.
You do not have to navigate this alone
Being a victim or witness can be difficult in any circumstances. When the matter involves another police officer or someone you work alongside, it can bring additional uncertainty about what to do, who to speak to and where you can get support.
WAVES is designed to give members a clear route to support, information and representation when they are involved in a matter as a victim or witness.
You do not need to understand every part of the process before asking for help
If you are unsure whether WAVES applies to your circumstances, contact your local Federation branch and we can help you understand the support available.
Not comfortable speaking with your local branch? That's okay. You can contact WAVES Central Coordinator at HQ, Debi Riley, at WAVES@polfed.org.
If you've experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour, please contact your local Federation branch in the first instance. All contact details can be found here.
A branch secretary or dedicated WAVES representative will listen to your concerns and begin an initial triage process to understand the support you may need. Support and representation are kept separate through appropriate ethical walls, helping to protect confidentiality and ensure fair support for all members.
If you would feel more comfortable speaking to someone outside your local branch, the WAVES team can help centrally. Simply email WAVES@polfed.org and we will ensure you receive appropriate support and guidance.
You can also complete a self-referral form first. Once completed, you can send it either to your local branch or directly to the central WAVES team.
Complete a Self-Referral Form ➟If someone else makes a referral for you, it will always be discussed with you first and made only with your knowledge and consent.
If you are unsure whether the support applies to you, you can still get in touch.
WAVES support is shaped around the member and their circumstances. Depending on what you need, a WAVES representative can help you:
• understand what may happen next and what the process means for you;
• identify the support and representation available to you;
• navigate communications, meetings and key stages of the process;
• access welfare support and other appropriate services;
• raise questions or concerns and understand where they should be directed; and
• have a consistent point of support so you are not left trying to work everything out alone.
The exact support available will depend on the circumstances of the case. WAVES does not determine the outcome of an investigation or other process.
Contact your local Federation branch. You can ask for help even if you are not sure whether the support applies to you. If you would feel more comfortable speaking to someone outside your local branch, the WAVES team can help centrally. Simply email WAVES@polfed.org.
We will establish what has happened, what stage you are at and what support you may need.
You will be helped to understand the relevant process and the support or representation available.
Where appropriate, your WAVES representative can remain a point of support as the matter progresses.
We know members may have questions about confidentiality, particularly where a matter involves another police officer or Federation member.
As part of the WAVES process, ethical walls are established so that support for victims and witnesses remains separate from any representation provided to a member who may be accused or subject to proceedings. This helps protect confidentiality and ensures fair and appropriate support for everyone involved.
The existence of WAVES does not weaken the Federation's commitment to fair representation for members who are accused. Your representative can explain how these arrangements work in practice and what information can be shared.
We will not promise an outcome or suggest that WAVES can influence an investigation, misconduct process or any other decision.
Who is WAVES for?
WAVES is designed to support PFEW members who are involved in a matter as a victim or witness. If you are unsure whether your circumstances are covered, contact us rather than trying to work it out alone.
What types of behaviour does WAVES cover?
WAVES supports members affected by unlawful treatment, including criminal acts, misconduct, harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and whistleblowing detriment involving police personnel.
Is WAVES confidential?
Confidentiality and safeguarding are at the heart of the WAVES programme. We understand that reaching out for support can be difficult, so we aim to create a safe and supportive environment from the outset.
This means:
- Your information will be handled sensitively and kept secure.
- Clear boundaries will be put in place where individuals involved in the same case are connected.
- Representatives supporting victims or witnesses will never represent an alleged perpetrator in the same case.
- Appropriate safeguarding action may be taken if there are concerns about someone's safety, wellbeing, or risk of victimisation.
If you have any concerns about confidentiality or how the scheme operates, please speak to the WAVES team, who will be happy to explain the process.
What if the other person is also a Federation member?
WAVES support for a victim or witness is kept appropriately separate from representation provided to an accused member. PFEW remains committed to fair representation while ensuring victims and witnesses can access appropriate support.
Does the programme investigate complaints?
No, WAVES does not investigate incidents or replace formal complaint or criminal processes.
Can witnesses be supported even if they have not yet given evidence?
Yes. Witnesses can receive support before, during, and after providing evidence.
What if I am not sure whether I count as a victim or witness?
Get in touch. You do not need to determine that on your own before asking what support is available.
What if a witness later becomes a victim?
Each individual is assessed based on their circumstances at the time. Support can adapt as a case develops.
Can my identity be protected if I share my experience as a case study?
Case-study participation is separate from receiving WAVES support. Where a member chooses to share their experience, communications options can include anonymisation, indirect filming and voiceover, subject to an agreed consent process.
How do I become a WAVES Rep?
WAVES Reps need a good grounding in conduct and performance matters, as some of the issues they support members with may also arise through conduct or performance processes.
If you have previously completed the Conduct and Performance course and have relevant experience representing members, your Branch Secretary can confirm they are satisfied you have the necessary Representing Members competencies.
If you have little or no previous conduct training or experience, you will need to complete, as a minimum:
- Conduct Essentials (e-learning)
- Performance UPP (online)
Reps should also complete:
- Representing Members in Misconduct Cases
- Equality Practitioners Part 1 (e-learning)
- Equality Practitioners Part 2
- Have experience representing members across a range of conduct cases
Ideally, the relevant training should be completed before attending the WAVES course, as it provides important background knowledge that will help you get the most from the training. However, where course availability means some of the training falls after your WAVES course date, the outstanding training can be completed afterwards.
Courses can be booked through the course catalogue, or you can contact L&D@polfed.org for advice or assistance with booking.
