MP’s policing family helps him understanding issues officers face

21 April 2022

Police Federation Welsh lead Nicky Ryan discussed some of the key issues facing members during a meeting with the Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion, Ben Lake.

It’s the latest in Nicky’s ongoing meetings with politicians in Wales and for the latest she joined the chair of Dyfed Powys Police Federation, Gareth Jones.

Nicky said: “Mr Lake grew up in the area and has been taken for a number ride-alongs with local units. He comes from a policing family with his dad and grandad both having policed the area – indeed, his dad is in a group photo on the wall in Lampeter Police Station

“So, all added up, he really understands the policing landscape, and the issues facing the service and officers.”

One of the key areas for discussion was the low starting salary of Welsh police officers.

Nicky said: “Our recent pay and morale survey found 79 per cent of officers in Wales were dissatisfied with their overall remuneration, 44 per cent worried about their finances every day and 94 per cent don’t feel fairly paid for the stresses of the job.

“It’s no surprise when you compare the starting salary of £21,402 that Welsh officers receive with a 40-hour week on the £9.50 minimum wage, which equates to £19,760 a year.

“We raised this with Mr Lake, and he is fully aware that pay is a real issue for police officers across Wales.

“We also discussed the Government’s Operation Uplift recruit drive, which is putting additional pressure on young officers who have to balance policing with their university work, though it was acknowledged that students in Dyfed Powys Police are given protected learning time to help.”

Nicky and Gareth also discussed the Federation’s Time Limits campaign, which aims to ensure that any police disciplinary investigations are concluded within 12 months from the moment an allegation is made.

Nicky said: “While acknowledging the need for officers to be accountable for their actions, Mr Lake understood the impact that being under investigation for a long period of time can have on officers’ mental wellbeing and family life.”

The issues of policing being devolved and a single force to cover Wales were also discussed.

Last month, Dr Richard Lewis, the Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police, called for the four forces in Wales to be merged into one.

His counterpart at South Wales Police, Jeremy Vaughan, then told a one-off session on policing in Wales of the Welsh Affairs Committee at Westminster, chaired by Mr Lake, that policing would need to be devolved to make it work.

Nicky said: “Mr Lake was interested to hear the discussions around devolution of policing and the one force model, as well local issues around resourcing.

“We also discussed the demands placed on the service by the police service supporting health boards around mental health matters,” Nicky explained, “Mr Lake has witnessed this for himself on his most recent ride-along with officers.”

Another area of discussion included the transient nature of the population of Ceredigion and other areas in Wales due to them being popular holiday and tourist spots and the effect this has on funding for the Force.

“It was a really positive meeting and we’re really grateful to Mr Lake for his time,” said Nicky, “In total we were with him for almost two and a half hours, which was amazing.

“And he indicated that he’d be happy to support policing in Wales in any way he can at Westminster, which we’re really grateful for.”