Barry Horton: My final interview as Fed chair

31 January 2024

Almost 20 years after he first entered the world of policing, West Mercia Police Federation chair Barry Horton will be hanging up his cuffs and starting a new chapter outside of the Force.

We caught up with the 44-year-old, for one last time.

“I was so nervous about my first day on the job, I ended up being late. Being a police officer was the only job I ever wanted,” said Barry.

He initially joined West Midlands Police at the age of 26, back in 2005, following a recruitment campaign. 

During his time there, Barry worked on response, the safer travel team and neighbourhood policing.

He added: “In my opinion, neighbourhood policing is the best job there is as an officer,” he said, adding: “Don’t get me wrong, response is exciting but as in the neighbourhood team, you can actually target crime and get to know the community, you can really make a difference. 

“My time there was brilliant. It was when I was on neighbourhood that I experienced my most memorable job - I was supporting a vulnerable male who needed social care support. I ended up locating the male’s estranged son and actually managed to reconnect them - it’s jobs like that which reinforce that cops aren’t just there for crime.”

Just a year ahead of his move to West Mercia Police, Barry spent 10 days working at the NATO Conference in Wales, in 2014.

In 2015, he made the move to West Mercia and spent seven years working in both response and as a detective, in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“As a Force, West Mercia is really visible, our response teams are run off their feet,” he continued.

“And the demand and complexity in CID is huge. You have to manage your workload and manage multiple cases, it blows your mind.

“Each job comes with its own type of pressure and set of responsibilities.”

Despite it presenting him with the ‘most stress’, Barry said CID has been ‘the most rewarding part’ of his career.

“Working on the most complex and demanding incidents, often to tight timescales and well into the early hours, to protect the most vulnerable is exactly what we all join for.

“In fact, the most recent case I’ve been the officer in charge for involves two guilty defendants and the trial will end on my final day - it almost makes it feel like it’s the right time to say goodbye.”

Barry started supporting his colleagues as a Fed rep in 2018 - having worked in the role during his time at West Midlands.

“I really enjoyed being a Workplace Fed rep,” explained Barry, whose passion for ‘make the job better’ was the driving force behind him standing for branch chair.

“I really wanted to give the detectives a voice,” he continued, adding: “The team is short on numbers and short on morale. Personally, I think that detectives feel like they’re sometimes left behind.”

Barry (left) with a colleague at a sporting ground.

Barry’s role as chair of the Federation started in May and he says ‘it has definitely been a challenge’.

He said: “I became chair at a time when so much change was happening - more on a national level, than local.

“There are so many budgetary problems at national level and I feel, transparency is a massive concern. I wanted to push forward and make change for our members - I really feel that the more we can raise our concerns, the more we can shake the tree and the more change we can make. But it’s difficult - making those changes is definitely easier said than done.”

Now, just a few days away from Barry changing career, he admits ‘it’s a bit scary'.

“This is my nineteenth year,” he added, “And it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

So, what is behind his reason for leaving the Force? Well, two young children and spending a healthier amount of time with his family has become a priority, he admits. 

“As a police officer, there’s no such thing as a work-life balance. It’s time for me to focus on my kids and my family now.

“Policing isn’t the job I joined back in 2005 - there is so much politics involved now. And without a doubt, we are the political football for every single lawmaker across the country.

“Things are changing. They’re making new laws that impact officers without giving cops a thought. There’s a demand on disclosure, not to mention the new IT system introduced - I’ve actually seen bobbies of 30 years, who were planning on staying, deciding to resign because of the IT system.”

Barry highlighted the degree-route entry into policing, and said ‘it’s crazy’ to think an officer can ‘learn the law, do the job, complete a degree and actually have any sort of life’. 

“I take my hat off to anyone entering the Force via that route, it must be exhausting. And some of these new officers are kids, they’re only just 18.”

Despite the challenges and his concerns with policing, Barry admits he ‘will miss it’.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss the police,” he said, adding: “And to say this job has filled me with so much pride over the years would be an understatement.”

Barry’s last day will be Friday (2 February) and he will be moving into a role in the civil service. Following a selection process, former branch secretary Steve Butler will take over as chair - his start date is yet to be confirmed. 

READ MORE: Fed chair demands urgent review of CJS.