Chairs Update - Summer 2024

7 August 2024

 

 

 

 

Dear Members,

 

I hope this message finds you well. As I mark my first six-month milestone as your Chair, I am filled with gratitude for the support I have had from members and the Federation representatives that support you. These past months have been both rewarding and challenging and I am pleased to share the progress and the plans we have for the future.

 

Priorities: –

• To target Pay and Working conditions at both a local and national level.
• To advocate for members in relation to demand that is affecting their health.
• And open the discussion of industrial rights for officers.

 

Industrial rights

 

Between 3rd and 21st June, PFEW conducted a member poll to determine whether there was a mandate to pursue Industrial Rights on behalf of Police Officers. Specifically, the poll asked members if they supported PFEW campaigning for collective bargaining with binding arbitration regarding Police Officer's pay.

I am pleased to report that we received 50,103 responses, with 97.7% of members in favour of PFEW pursuing Industrial Rights.

The Sussex turnout was 41.88% of the membership. 96.66% were in favour, with 3.34% voting against.

Policing has faced significant challenges in recent years. We have witnessed the erosion of Misconduct regulations, returning the adjudication of misconduct to Chief Officers. Additionally, the use of vetting serves as another means to dispose of officers. Officers have experienced the dilution of pensions and continue to suffer from detrimental government decisions.

National PFEW now have a strong mandate moving forward to negotiate on this matter.

 

Pay Rise

 

Most of you would have heard that the Police Remuneration Review Body released their findings on the 30^th July. The Police Service was awarded the following in summary: –

 

• 4.75% pay rise for all ranks.
• Chief Constables to have the ability to allow new recruits to start on pay point 1 or 2. Our Forces position on this is unknown at this time.
• On-call allowance to increase to £25. This is an interim measure, pending the outcome of NPCC’s review of allowances in 2024/25.
• Dog Handlers allowance will be upgraded by 4.75% and an additional rate for more than one dog will be raised to 50% of the rate of the first dog.
• The time it takes for federated ranks to reach maximum A/L entitlement of 30 days is reduced from 20 to 10 years. Implementation will be from September 2024.
• New Recruits will also be uplifted on their A/L and will now be entitled to 25 days, rather than the 22 days pre this agreement.
• Other allowances to be reviewed in 2024/25. This includes southeast allowance.

Implementation of the above will be the 1^st September 2024.

Whilst 4.75% is most certainly a step in the right direction, it doesn’t go far enough to address the cumulative gap in police pay. We are still 17% behind other public sector services due to inflation and pay freezes, this pay rise still hasn’t truly taken into consideration the restrictions on police officers of not being able to be part of a Trade Union. The members have spoken, and they want Industrial rights (Collective Bargaining). National PFEW are starting work on this. I will keep you updated.

 

Reg 22 Breaches

 

Most of you are aware that Sussex Federation had served a 'Letter before legal action' on Sussex Police. It is evident that member's working conditions are being violated to the detriment of individuals. You have had rest days cancelled, shifts changed or extended, all to your personal disadvantage.

Sussex Federation have closely monitored this issue and while we observed some improvement during the winter months with fewer Reg 22 breaches, the summer has brought an increase in violations.

A Gold Group was established to address and improve Sussex Police's position. However, against the Federation's advice, Sussex Police have disbanded the Gold Group claiming it has achieved its objective. This claim is an insult to our members. From May 6th to July 8th, there have been 398 Reg 22 breaches and we are not yet at the summer peak. Our members' working conditions are being severely compromised.

Op Unity and IIT provide some hope, but our current establishment is wrong.

Sussex Police must acknowledge that their staffing is insufficient to meet demand. Poor planning is not an excuse to disrupt officers' work-life balance to this extent. On August 15th, our Branch Board will meet with DCC McLaren to discuss this important issue.  At the end of this meeting we will have to make a decision on our next steps. Police Regulations are our only protection and must be upheld.

 

Protest / Disorder

 

Nationally, there have been several protests that have descended into disorder. Reports indicate that many officers have been injured, and the police have become targets of public frustration.

These are unprecedented times and members should expect shift changes, extended shifts, and rest day cancellations. The current circumstances clearly constitute an exigency of duty, and we must support our colleagues as long as this continues.

I urge all members to check their PPE and have it readily available to support the front line.

I sincerely hope that this violent behaviour will cease. Colleagues, please remain vigilant and prioritise your safety. I would also like to remind you to be mindful of what you post on social media.

 

JRFT

 

The Sussex Federation has been in ongoing discussions with the Force regarding the JRFT. Current scientific research has focused on the fitness level required to complete Police Safety Training (PST). Professor Brewer has determined that 3.7 is the minimum requirement to complete the new PST.

 

Following negotiations, the Force has revised its position and settled on the following standards:

 

• The JRFT standard for recruits to be employed by Sussex and Surrey Police will remain at 5:4. New Student Officers are expected to achieve 5:4 within their first 16 weeks of training.
• Officers in both forces are expected to achieve 5:4. Those who do not will be offered support and assistance to improve their fitness. There will be no punitive measures.
• Officers who achieve between 3:7 and 5:4 on the JRFT will not be excluded from Officer Safety Training. They will be allowed to attend the training and will be offered support as mentioned above.
• Officers who do not achieve 3:7 will be subject to the normal process for JRFT failures, but this will be handled in a supportive manner.
• For those of you that need to do the alternative fitness test. The new requirement is 8 minutes, finishing on an 8% gradient.

 

This should address concerns regarding the JRFT. It is important to note that the fitness test will change in the future, and officers must maintain a good standard of fitness.

For those responsible for providing support, please ensure it is meaningful. Allowing time within a working day for members to focus on their fitness is a reasonable adjustment. If any supervisors or managers need assistance with adjustments, please contact your local representative.

 

Compensatory rest

 

I hope that by now, members are fully utilising their compensatory rest entitlements. However, some confusion persists, with reports of members being denied their rightful entitlements.

 

For clarity on this matter, please first refer to the Working Time Regulations Workforce Agreement that the Federation has secured for members. This document, signed by the Federation and the Chief Constable, outlines your entitlements clearly. A copy of this document has been sent via email as it is not currently available on the intranet. Arrangements have been made for it to become a searchable document on the intranet soon. Of particular importance is section 11.3 on page 10, which contains critical information for those with limited time.

 

Nyxoid/Naloxone

 

You may have seen that Sussex Police are reaching out to members to consider, on a voluntary basis, the carriage of Nyxoid. Nyxoid is a medication that can be administered to opioid users who have overdosed to alleviate the effects. Nyxoid is in spray form and is administered through the nose. Naloxone is similar but is administered via an auto-injector.

 

It is important that the members are aware of the Federation's position on this topic and the risks associated with this carriage.

 

1. There is a potential for members, who are mainly trained to a low standard of first aid, being placed in the position of emergency medical first responders. We therefore see the risk that members will be left at the scene of medical emergencies while ambulance resources are deployed elsewhere.
2. There is the question of why we are deploying with this drug and not other lifesaving medicines such as asthma inhalers, angina sprays, or epi-pens, to name a few.
3. The carriage would undermine our position on distancing ourselves from roles that sit outside of our sphere and blur the lines between the Police and Ambulance services.
4. Members carrying additional risk for no further remuneration is always going to be an issue for a staff association.
5. Nyxoid/Naloxone is safe. But safe is a relative state, given that we are discussing the administration of a drug that does carry inherent risk.

 

There are many other reasons why the Federation is taking this position and ultimately our concern is solely with the members. The national Federation Policy is that we do not support the carriage of Nyxoid/Naloxone for our members. We must not blur the lines of what we are trying to achieve with Right Care Right Person.

 

New Government / PCC meeting

 

With the new government now established and officials settling into their roles and responsibilities, it is an opportune time to assess Labour's longstanding support for unions and staff associations. As the purported party of the working class, their commitment to our causes will now be put to the test. My immediate priority as your chair will be to engage with all Sussex MPs, advocating for agendas that matter most to you.

 

While pay and working conditions remain perennial issues, I believe that resourcing and demand are critically impacting our members' lives here in Sussex. As a large county force, we have endured chronic underfunding for too long.

 

In a recent meeting with Katy Bourne, our Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), I outlined the pressing challenges facing our members. The primary focus of our discussion was the imbalance between officer numbers and the demands placed upon us. The current level of demand far exceeds our available resources, making it untenable to expect our members to consistently deliver outstanding service under these conditions. This situation is exacerbated by budgetary constraints that limit frontline resourcing.

 

The existing funding formula is fundamentally flawed and grossly unfair to counties like ours. Sussex, with its expansive geographical area and significant population influx during the tourist season, is not adequately considered in the allocation of funds.

 

The PCC's ability to improve our working conditions is restricted primarily to raising the precept, which only helps meet the required savings. To genuinely enhance our working conditions, we need a reformed funding formula and the removal of the precept cap, enabling the PCC to secure necessary funds for policing.

 

I am committed to continuing advocacy on this issue with MPs and will vigorously pursue reforms that address this critical aspect of policing, which disproportionately affects our members.

 

National Police Health Care scheme (NPHS)

 

Members of Sussex Police Federation can now get access to the benefits of private healthcare for as little as £16 per month.

The National Police Healthcare Scheme aims to cover the cost of hospitalisation and specialist medical fees, for treatment for acute medical conditions, both as an in-patient and out-patient. But the scheme also covers the cost of outpatient physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture treatment. 

Subscription costs start at just £16 per month (for officers aged 18 to 29) and membership of the scheme can be extended to a member’s spouse, family and children. Police officers and staff who sign up get the first three months free and the first year is free for student officers.

I am very pleased to be able to offer this scheme to members. It is too often I have met with officers that have been let down by the NHS and their long waiting time. The scheme now allows members to get access to diagnosis and treatment without the waiting attributed to the NHS.

For further information please follow the link. National Police Healthcare Scheme (polfed.org)

 

Engagement

 

Some members may have noticed Sussex Federation conducting engagement events at various police stations. My goal is to help members become familiar with their representatives and take advantage of the services we and our partners provide.

 

Our next events will be held on the following days: -

• 11th of September – Lewes Police Station, HQ, Eastbourne, and Hastings.
• 12th of September – Horsham, Crawley, Crowhurst Road, and Brighton John Street.
• 13th of September – Chichester, Bognor, Littlehampton, and Worthing.

 

We will be accompanied by an ice cream van from which members of the scheme or those wishing to join can enjoy refreshments. Our partners from Phillip Williams, who provide our group insurance, will be present to answer questions, and we will also be available to discuss the National Police Health Care Scheme.

 

The Spring issue of Ten Twenty was well-received, with positive feedback about the magazine. This is another tool to keep you informed about the Federation's activities on your behalf. The next edition should arrive in your refreshment areas by before the end of August. Electronic versions will also be sent out to everyone. I want to remind members that this engagement tool is cost-neutral, as it is funded through advertisements.

 

Meet the Team – 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