Winter magazine out now

20 December 2024

The winter edition of Connect, the magazine of West Mercia Police Federation, is available now.

It is full of news and views from the branch, including a review of 2024.

Chair Steve Butler says ‘thank you’ to members for their hard work and dedication as he looks back on the year and forward to 2025 in his regular column.

Members are encouraged to take part in the upcoming Federation elections, whether that is by standing to become a workplace rep or voting for their favourite candidates.

Ahead  of those elections, Steve emphasises the importance of an openness and transparency in the Police Federation of England and Wales as he responds to questions he asked at a recent National Council meeting being posted online.

Steve criticises protracted police conduct investigations following two high-profile cases in the Force.

He argues that unnecessarily long probes are a drain on the public purse, undermine confidence in the process, and impact the lives and wellbeing of officers.

Steve also takes aim at a new Home office unit for ‘overseeing police performance’, saying the money would be better spent improving pay and working conditions.

There’s a feature on Flint House rehabilitation centre, the charity which provides bespoke state-of-the-art physical and mental health rehabilitation facilities.

And we hear from branch secretary Pete Nightingale on the ‘amazing’ support he received from Flint House.

And we meet Monty the cockerpoo puppy, who is taking his first steps towards becoming the West Mercia Police Federation wellbeing support dog.

It’s all in the winter edition of Connect, available to download now.

READ MORE: Merry Christmas from the Fed branch.