PCC pledges to work with Federation

27 October 2021

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Dunbobbin pledged to work closely with the Police Federation when he attended the latest meeting of the staff association’s Welsh Affairs Sub-Committee.

Mr Dunbobbin, who was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in May this year, told the committee that he had already had “early and positive” conversations with Federation representatives.

“We are looking at how we can work together,” he told the committee, “We will build on these conversations. I am very grateful for the support I have received so far from Mark Jones, the North Wales Police Federation secretary, and Mel Jones, the branch treasurer.

“I believe the last 18 months have taught us how well we can all work together when we collaborate effectively.”

During the meeting, which was held at Old Colwyn Cricket Club, Mark had expressed his concerns about the pressures officers were under and said many were at a breaking point that he feared would come “very, very soon”.

The PCC repeated his support for the Federation and said he appreciated the commitment of officers and the whole policing family to serving their communities. He would continue to listen but wanted to do something about the way officers were feeling and help raise morale.

In outlining the three broad themes of his crime plan, including safer neighbourhoods, supporting victims and providing a fair and effective criminal justice system, Mr Dunbobbin said it was important for him to listen to as many people possible when developing his plans.

Mr Dunbobbin was welcomed to the meeting by the Federation’s Welsh lead, Nicky Ryan, and agreed to support her efforts to secure a Federation seat on the Welsh Government’s Policing Board.

He also took on board concerns raised by Nicky about the way in which pressures on the Welsh Ambulance Service were impacting on police officers who were left with difficult decisions to make while waiting for ambulances, risking taking casualties to hospital in their vehicles or allowing their conditions to potentially deteriorate.

Questioned about whether he was supportive of police officers being given priority access to the NHS, the PCC outlined the current NHS for Veterans which offered a similar facility for former servicemen and women.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the four branches of the Police Federation in Wales, Ian Saunders from the Police Federation’s National Board, and Mark Hinge, a public affairs specialist who is a political adviser to the committee.