Chairs Update - Spring 2026

8 May 2026

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

The past few months have been a busy and, at times, challenging period for policing. We have seen significant announcements from Government through the White Paper, alongside a change in the terrorism threat level to severe following the attack in Golders Green, where officers swiftly subdued an armed individual using taser.

As we now head into the summer period, the demands on policing will only increase. A combination of planned events and the unpredictable nature of our role means pressure will remain high. Time and again, I am struck by the resilience and professionalism you all continue to demonstrate, even when that demand takes its toll.

Our role within the Federation is clear, to bring balance to those demands and to uphold your rights under Police Regulations. While you remain vigilant on the streets, we will continue to stand alongside you and ensure your voice is heard.

Looking ahead, the upcoming pay review, expected to be published at the end of July, will be of significant interest to all members. It is vital that this reflects not only the increasing demands placed upon you, but also the professionalism, risk, and commitment that policing requires. We will continue to engage at every level to ensure your interests are robustly represented.

 

White Paper

 

In January Policing saw the Labour government release a white paper that looked at some of the largest policing reforms that we have seen in decades. The very aspirational paper highlighted some serious changes to the structure and make up of policing. The paper introduced a lot of ideas, but no explanation of execution. As this is a lengthy paper I will leave it for members to read, but I will highlight some areas that may interest you.

 

 Force consolidation

• The current structure of policing isn’t working. The postcode lottery in funding, standards and support is unfair on both the public and That has to change. A larger force doesn’t mean a better service for the public or better working conditions for members.
• We are concerned that such a focus on big structural change will inevitably suck in time, resources and people - three commodities the service already doesn't have enough of. And police forces have a dismal track record of doing big change well.

New national police service

• There is a sensible case for national responsibility where the threat is national, for example in areas like serious organised crime, counter-terrorism or specialist capabilities. But all of these crimes have roots in local crime experienced directly by local communities. Any new model must have clear boundary’s on jurisdiction and accountability.

 

Licence to practice

• Everyone wants professional policing, but that requires investment in training, time and support. Officers are routinely pulled off mandatory training to plug gaps, work rest days to stay afloat & carry unsafe workloads. These are the issues that need fixing in a broken system.
• Any fee that is attributed to a licence must not fall on members to carry. Members are already struggling and adding another barrier for them to work will only create more problems for morale.

 

Welfare (dedicated MH crisis line, mandatory psych screening, trauma tracker software)

• We support anything that invests in better support for officers, particularly given the crisis of police officer suicide and record mental health sickness absence. 
• This could be a good starting point but the Police Covenant needs to be given the powers and funding commensurate with the Armed Forces Covenant to effect the kind of change police officers need.

 

This is all aspirational and we have heard nothing since the announcement. We will continue to engage with stakeholders to influence this topic in favour of our members needs.

 

Bravery & Excellence in Policing awards 

 

On 30th April 2026, Sussex Federation had the honour of welcoming guests to our Bravery and Excellence in Policing Awards. It was an evening defined by recognition and respect for the selfless actions our members undertake in service of the public.

Sussex Federation Branch Board, alongside the Chief Officer Team, faced the difficult task of selecting individuals to represent Sussex Police Federation at the PFEW National Bravery Awards in July. As part of this, the nominees will attend a reception at 10 Downing Street before the national ceremony itself in London.

This year, Sussex Police Federation will be represented by:

PS Andre Owen
PC Tara Bernard
SC Julius Gudaitis

While returning to the UK from a holiday in Tenerife, these officers witnessed a large male physically assaulting his partner mid-flight. Without hesitation, they made the decision to intervene. During the incident, a violent struggle ensued, and the officers were themselves assaulted.

Through teamwork, courage, and determination, they were able to restrain the individual for the remaining 3 1/2 hours of the flight, ensuring the safety of those on board and allowing the aircraft to continue to Gatwick without further disruption. The male was subsequently arrested and charged.

 

Pay Review submissions by the NPCC

 

For the first time since the 2012 Tom Winsor Review, the NPCC has put forward recommendations that would directly impact officers financially. One of the most concerning proposals is the reduction of overtime rates from time and a half to time and a third. This represents a direct devaluation of the work our members undertake, at a time when policing continues to rely heavily on overtime and the goodwill of its officers.

In response, the Police Federation of England and Wales has launched the “Hands Off Our Rest Days” campaign, challenging these proposals publicly through the media.

A number of additional recommendations are also causing significant concern:

 

• Recommendation 7: For constables and sergeants, where a rest day is cancelled with 15 days’ notice or more, RDIL must be re-rostered and taken within three months (from April 2027).
• Recommendation 8: For constables and sergeants, where a rest day is cancelled with 15 days’ notice or more, payment will be at plain time for days not taken within three months, above an annually set RDIL cap during transition.
• Recommendation 9: For inspecting and superintending ranks, removal of the provision allowing RDIL to be taken within 24 months under exceptional circumstances (from April 2027).
• Recommendation 10: For inspecting and superintending ranks, where a rest day is cancelled, payment will be at plain time for days not taken within 12 months, above an annually set RDIL cap during transition.
• Recommendation 11: Removal of the regulation allowing constables and sergeants to work a reinstated rest day when given less than 7 days’ notice (from April 2027).
• Recommendation 12: Where officers are required for less than four hours on a rest day or public holiday, payment at time and a third in 15-minute increments (from April 2027).

 

Taken together, these proposals primarily benefit the organisation while reducing the financial recognition afforded to officers. They do not address the underlying issue - namely, the need for proper funding and resourcing - and instead place further pressure on those already carrying the burden.

Unlike many other professions, police officers do not have the right to withdraw their labour in response to pay decisions. The Federation continues to pursue industrial rights for members, in the form of collective bargaining with binding arbitration. When members were polled on the topic, 97.7% of members polled voted in favour of this approach - demonstrating the strength of feeling across the service.

We now need your support. To ensure our collective voice is heard in Parliament, I would encourage all members to sign the digital picket line and support the campaign.

Please sign here - Copped Enough

 

Regulation 22

 

Regulation 22 has been a key agenda item for our Branch Board for over the last few years. It is something that we continue to monitor and work with Sussex Police to reduce the impact on officers private lives and the infringement of members regulation rights.

Knowing your start and finish times, along with rest days, 90 days in advance is essential for planning personal lives. However, when an exigency arises, defined as “an urgent need or demand” - shorter notice periods to work may be applied to meet operational requirements.

The last couples of years have seen significant demands on members to meet the demands of the summer and the public order requirements that have seen members endure prolonged shifts and cancelled rest days. Some of these do fall within the exigency definition, but some have fallen down to poor planning.

Sussex Police have improved, since our letter before legal action, but the impact on members is still prevalent and requires improvement.

The Federation Branch Board have discussed this issue and will be exploring all options to our disposal to deal with this issue that impacts most members.

I want to assure members that this matter is within our view and we are working with Sussex Police to address the disruption to your private lives. Legal action against the force is still an option for us and the board and I are ready to do what is needed for our members.

 

Federation House Lancing Treatment Centre/Wellness Centre 

 

I am pleased to announce that the Group Insurance Scheme’s vision of a treatment centre at Federation House, Lancing, is now becoming a reality. From 11th May, the ground floor will undergo renovation to create a dedicated space where GIS members can access physical therapy and counselling services at no cost.

This is a significant step forward, enabling us to provide direct support to members within our own facilities. It reflects our ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of those who give so much in service to the public.

We are aiming to open the doors to members in September, and I look forward to sharing further updates as the project progresses.

 

Rail travel update 

 

The Federation has been actively exploring opportunities to secure rail travel access for members commuting to and from work. This has been a complex piece of work, and we have navigated a number of challenges in progressing this on your behalf.

We have recently received a response from Lord Hendy, Minister at the Department for Transport. From 31 May, Govia Thameslink Railway will no longer operate the Southern rail network, with responsibilities transferring to Great British Railways. As a result, our proposal required consideration at ministerial level.

While Lord Hendy has responded, he has not been able to provide the clear approval we had hoped for. His position is that, with the rail network moving further under government control, all concessionary travel schemes will be reviewed nationally before any decisions are made. Although the response lacks certainty, it is notably not a rejection.

The Federation will continue to pursue this opportunity and will also explore alternative avenues to deliver this aim.

 

Suicide recording 

 

Colleagues,

This is a bittersweet moment for the Federation, as progress has come at the loss of our colleague and friend, Sgt Ben Websdale (also known as DJ Split).

In January, the Coroner’s Inquest into Ben’s death took place, with the Federation providing evidence to assist the Coroner in her findings. As a result, two important recommendations were made to Sussex Police:

1. Evidence heard at the inquest confirmed that there is currently no consistent local or national recording of cases where police officers have died by suicide, or attempted suicide, while under investigation for police misconduct. Without this data, the service is unable to properly understand the scale of the issue or identify where additional support is needed.
2. Evidence also highlighted that officers are repeatedly exposed to traumatic incidents, including suicides, yet not all forces across England and Wales have implemented the recognised “STEP” (Suicide Trauma Education Prevention) programme.

While the inquest was an emotional and difficult process, it reached conclusions that recognised both the trauma officers carry on behalf of the public and the additional strain that can come with being under investigation.

The Federation’s continued work on this issue has contributed to the NPCC agreeing to the mandatory recording of suicide and attempted suicide across policing. While this represents meaningful progress, it has come at a significant cost both locally and nationally for those who have lost loved ones.

This is a step in the right direction, but it is not the end of the journey. Our focus must remain on ensuring that proper support and early intervention are in place, so that officers are supported long before they reach crisis point.

The Federation will continue to pursue legislative change, including making such deaths reportable under RIDDOR, to ensure greater independence and transparency in the investigation of officer deaths.

Finally, I would like to pay tribute to those officers who have died by suicide, and to the families, friends, and colleagues who continue to carry that loss. Their lives matter, and they will not be forgotten.

 

Meet the Team – Sussex Police Federation Representatives

 

We are eager for our members to actively communicate with the Federation Workplace Reps to highlight any ongoing local issues. Each division’s Fed reps hold quarterly meetings with their Command Team to communicate these issues, however, if you don’t tell your local Reps about it, we won’t know about it. 

To find out who your local reps are, please click here.

 

Kind regards

Raff Cioffi

Chair, Sussex Police Federation