Chairs Update - Summer 2026

27 August 2026

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

As ever, policing continues to place significant demands on officers across Sussex. Many of you are working through a challenging summer period, with increasing demand, shift changes, abstraction pressures and the ongoing reality of doing more with less. I know the impact this has on you, your teams and your families, and I want to reassure you that these pressures are being raised clearly and consistently with the Force and with wider stakeholders.

 

A major focus for the Federation remains pay, conditions and the PRRB process. Our members deserve to be properly recognised for the work they do, the risks they carry, and the restrictions placed upon them as police officers. I have continued to raise these issues directly, including through engagement with local MPs, to ensure those in positions of influence better understand the realities of policing and the strength of feeling among members.

 

Below I have provided some updates on topics that the membership will be interested in: -

 

National Federation

Members will be aware of the ongoing issues affecting the Police Federation of England and Wales, including the recent arrests by the City of London Police. As a result, Tiff Lynch, National Chair, and John Partington, National Secretary, have been suspended pending the conclusion of the relevant processes.

It is important to be clear that suspension is a neutral act. It is not a disciplinary sanction and does not imply any presumption of wrongdoing or guilt. Due process must be allowed to take its course.

That said, I fully recognise the concern, frustration and disappointment these developments will cause amongst our members. Whatever the eventual outcome of the investigations, events at a national level have inevitably caused further reputational damage to the Federation and risk undermining members' confidence in the organisation that exists to represent them. Sussex members are entitled to expect the highest standards of leadership, governance, transparency and accountability from their Federation at every level.

I want to reassure members that Sussex Police Federation Branch is separate from these national matters and is not involved in the investigation. Our priority remains exactly where it should be representing, supporting and standing up for Sussex members.

For Sussex members, it remains business as usual. Casework, representation, workplace support, branch communications and our engagement with the Force will continue without interruption. Members should continue to contact the branch in the normal way whenever they require our assistance.

Sussex Branch has raised its concerns through the appropriate national channels, and I will continue to make the views of Sussex members clear. Where we believe change is necessary, we will say so. Where greater accountability is required, we will call for it. My responsibility as Chair is first and foremost to the members I represent, and that will remain my position as these matters progress.

In line with PFEW rules and procedures, and following the relevant National Board process, Brian Booth has been appointed Acting National Chair and Mel Warnes Acting National Secretary. Paul Williams has been elected Acting Deputy National Chair, with Simon Kempton elected Acting Deputy National Secretary.

 

Police Remuneration Review Body Report

The PRRB recommended a 3.9% consolidated pay uplift for police officers, but the Government has decided to award 3.5% from 1 September 2026.

Whilst any consolidated uplift is welcome, it isn’t lost on me that we are again being sold short by a government that has chosen to ignore the PRRB’s full recommendation. This is particularly disappointing when the report itself clearly recognises the pressures officers face around demand, cancelled rest days, wellbeing, morale and family life, alongside the unique restrictions placed upon police officers, including our lack of industrial rights.

 

Southeast Allowance

The Southeast Allowance will be uplifted by 3.5%. This is important for Sussex members and recognises, at least in part, the additional cost of living faced by officers working in the Southeast.

Although the uplift was agreed nationally, its implementation in Sussex still required approval by our Chief Constable. Shortly after the release of the PRRB report, Sussex Police Federation wrote to the Chief Constable and made representations for our members to receive the additional uplift.

I am pleased to say that the Chief Constable has agreed the 3.5% uplift, which will be implemented from 1 September 2026.

However, we must be clear that this remains below the PRRB’s recommended 3.9% uplift, and we will continue to press for pay and allowances that properly reflect the demands, risks and restrictions of the role.

 

Acting Up Allowance

The current 10-day qualifying period for Acting Up Allowance will be removed, which is a welcome step for officers undertaking the responsibilities of a higher rank.

The precise implementation arrangements remain subject to the necessary consultation and amendments to Police Regulations and Determinations, and we will update members once the timescales and detail are confirmed.

 

Maternity Support Leave / Paternity Leave

The PRRB has recognised that the current provision for maternity support leave — effectively the police officer equivalent of paternity leave — is no longer fit for purpose and has recommended an entitlement of two weeks’ leave on full pay.

This is most certainly a step in the right direction and provides greater support to officers and their families at an important time in their lives.

 

Rest Days and Additional Hours

Some of you may be aware that the National Police Chiefs’ Council put forward a number of significant proposals relating to officers’ rest-day working and additional-hours entitlements.

These included proposed changes to Rest Days in Lieu, reinstated rest days and the compensation officers receive when required to work for less than four hours on a rest day or public holiday. In effect, some of these proposals would have reduced existing protections and made it cheaper for forces to require officers to work on their rest days.

The Federation strongly opposed these proposals. Rest days are not simply days when officers happen not to be at work; they are an essential protection that allows officers to recover, spend time with their families and maintain a reasonable work-life balance in what is an increasingly demanding profession.

Importantly, the PRRB did not support the NPCC package as presented. It raised concerns around officer wellbeing, caring responsibilities, equality impacts and the potential consequences of removing existing financial disincentives for forces making last-minute changes to officers’ duties.

This is an important outcome. Our representations were strong, and they were heard. We will continue to robustly defend the protections and remuneration our members have earned.

 

Leadership report

The Police Leadership Commission has published 27 recommendations setting out an ambitious programme of reform for policing leadership. Of greatest significance to Federation members are proposals to fundamentally redesign recruitment, training, performance management and promotion, alongside the creation of a National Academy of Police Leadership to oversee national leadership standards, career development and promotion processes. The report also recommends mandatory annual performance reviews linked to career progression and the introduction of nationally consistent promotion processes across all ranks, representing one of the most significant changes to officer development in recent years.

The Commission also recommends the introduction of a new Senior Constable rank, intended to recognise experienced frontline officers, provide a clear career pathway without requiring promotion to sergeant, and formally reward mentoring and leadership responsibilities. The report states that the development of this role should involve consultation with staff associations, presenting an important opportunity for the Police Federation to influence how the rank is structured, selected, rewarded and integrated into existing police regulations. Given the breadth of the proposed reforms, the Federation will need to remain closely engaged throughout implementation to ensure members' interests are protected and that changes deliver genuine improvements to frontline policing, fairness and career progression.

This is one of the more significant leadership reform reports we've seen for some time. It goes well beyond leadership training and has the potential to reshape promotion, performance management, career progression and the role of experienced constables. Those are all areas where the Federation will have a major voice, so I would expect these recommendations to feature heavily in national consultations over the coming months

Full report - Professionalism and performance: Police leadership for the future

 

Police Unity tour 

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of riding alongside officers and supporters from Sussex and Surrey in the Police Unity Tour, joining hundreds from across the policing family to remember colleagues who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Our Sussex and Surrey Chapter cycled approximately 240 miles over three days, setting off from Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes, travelling via Surrey Police Headquarters and finishing at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for the annual COPS Service of Remembrance.

The Tour also raises vital funds for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), which provides invaluable support to the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty. I am incredibly proud that our Sussex and Surrey Chapter raised £11,344, contributing to the more than £250,000 raised nationally for COPS.

A huge thank you to every rider, supporter and everyone who donated. The Tour is a powerful reminder of the strength of the policing family - remembering those we have lost, supporting the families they leave behind and ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten.

 

 

National Bravery

I was incredibly proud to see PS Andre Owen, PC Tara Bernard and SC Julius Gudaitis represent Sussex at the PFEW National Police Bravery Awards 2026.

At 30,000 feet in the air, what should have been an ordinary flight became anything but. Faced with an unexpected and high-pressure situation, the three officers demonstrated exceptional bravery, composure and teamwork to protect those around them from a male who was assaulting a female.

Their actions are a powerful reminder that police officers are never truly off duty when someone needs their help. They stepped forward without hesitation, putting their training and professionalism into action when it mattered most.

It was a privilege to see their bravery recognised on the national stage, and on behalf of Sussex Police Federation and all our members, I would like to congratulate Andre, Tara and Julius on this thoroughly deserved recognition.

Our nomination form for our 2027 Bravery & Excellence in policing awards is open. If you have witnessed or are aware of an act of bravery by a colleague, please submit a nomination. Every day, our officers go above and beyond in service to the public and great policing deserves to be recognised.

You can nominate here - Bravery & Excellence in Policing Awards 2027 – Fill in form

 

Rail travel

Since my last update, I have continued to engage with our local MPs, who have been supportive of our proposal and have written to Lord Hendy urging further consideration.

While his position remains unchanged, importantly, the proposal has not been rejected. I am also pleased that our Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, has agreed to support our efforts.

We now have growing political support behind this proposal, and the Federation will continue to press the case and explore every available avenue to secure this benefit for our members.

 

MP engagement

With Parliament in summer recess, opportunities for face-to-face meetings with our local MPs have understandably been limited. However, engagement has continued throughout this period, with regular contact with MPs and their offices to maintain momentum on the issues that matter to our members.

I have continued to ensure that our key messages around police pay, working conditions, officer welfare and the wider challenges facing policing are heard, while securing further meetings for when Parliament returns.

I am particularly keen to meet with our local Green MP to discuss the Green Party’s policy position on removing Taser and Captor from police officers. I have significant concerns about this proposal, which I believe is disconnected from the operational realities our members face every day.

Our officers routinely deal with violence, unpredictable situations and individuals who present a genuine threat to themselves, officers and the public. Any proposal to remove vital tactical options from officers must properly consider those realities, including the level of assaults sustained by our members. I intend to make those representations directly and robustly on members behalf.

Building strong relationships with our elected representatives remains an important part of our work. We will continue to use those relationships to ensure the voice and experiences of Sussex officers are heard both locally and in Parliament.

 

Cat food

With our commitment to think of innovative ways to support members we are continuing with our pet food supply from our donors. On this occasion we have only received Cat food. The brand is Untamed and we have been given a variety of flavours for your cats.

If members would like a supply of cat food, then please fill out the form below. Due to the high demand of this service if members do not pick up their reserved cat food supply within 14 days, we will be moving it on to another member.

For those that are on the far ends of Sussex we will be delivering allocated pet food to the following stations for it to be picked up.  

• Hastings
• Eastbourne
• Crawley
• Brighton (-2 Lift reception area)
• Other location maybe identified if we have the capacity with our reps network.

This will be delivered by Reps shortly after the 17^th of September.

Please use this form to make your request -  Cat Food – Fill in form

 

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