New Federation representative puts focus on fairness
24 August 2020
Peri Dhesi is committed to increasing fairness across the Force.
One of the newest officers to join West Midlands Police Federation as a workplace representative, Peri has only been in the role for a few weeks but he is already enjoying being able to offer colleagues advice and support.
“My over-riding goal as a Federation representative is helping people,” he explains, “I enjoy helping people and if there is something I can do for anyone, I will try my best to do it. Now I am a Fed rep, as long as I can help people, I will continue to do it as best as I can.
“I’ve always been a people person so I feel that’s a strength. I am fortunate as my role gives me regular access to SLT and I feel I have made good relationships with them prior to becoming a Fed rep. Hopefully, that can continue and I can look after member interests within the organisation.
“I’m busy and I enjoy being busy. It may be difficult balancing my day job with my Federation duties although this is something I feel I will manage.
“My key focus will be increasing fairness across the organisation. I really want everyone to be treated fairly across the organisation and particularly within FCID where I imagine most of my duties will occur.”
He adds: “I just want to be the best Fed rep I can while I am in post. I want to try to help as many people as possible and increase fairness wherever I am. Really that’s my main goal. I want people to be able to say they’ve all been treated fairly by the organisation and to ensure personal values don’t influence objective facts. I’ve used the word fairness a bit but I do believe it’s an important word in an organisation of our size.”
Peri has been with the Force for 12 years. But before becoming an officer, he was employed in security at ASDA and worked closely with the police when dealing with shoplifters which inspired him to want to join the Force and try to have a positive impact on people during their darkest moments.
His first posting was A Unit Tipton on New Federation representative puts focus on fairness Response.
“I learnt so much there and we had a great team including Andy Hedge, Steve Brown, Mike Bradbury and Sgt Hancock. I wouldn’t have become a semi-decent constable without their guidance and it is something I am thankful for today,” he explains.
He has since worked in Response, as a call handler and dispatcher in Force Contact and as a trainer in Learning and Development (L & D). Having left L & D to become an investigator, he became a detective in FCID in 2016 and is now a sergeant.
“I try not to focus on job highlights as I try to maintain a balanced mindset and ultimately do the best for victims and our people, however, leaving my role in L & D as a trainer with a goal to become a detective and a sergeant and achieving those both by 2018 was a personal highlight,” Peri says.
“Another highlight is meeting my two best friends, Ade Davies and Mitz Parmar, and of course, meeting my wife, Aman Dhesi. West Midlands Police has been very influential on my circle and my life.”
He is currently working in FCID Prevent which is closely involved with the planning team in FCID and he adds: “Needless to say my days are very random but I am in a fortunate position where I can influence some change and have my voice heard with SLT.”
Since he only became a Federation rep in July, Peri is awaiting his initial training course, which he will undertake this month, but he is settling into the role, grateful for the support of Federation chair, Jon Nott, who has made himself available to him at all times.
And he would encourage other members to consider putting themselves forward for the role.
“If it’s something you have an interest in, put yourself forward. The worse thing that can happen is you stay where you are now,” he says.
So what does he see as the challenges ahead for West Midlands Police Federation, the Force, officers and the wider police service?
“Well, the pension issues are obviously a challenge for the Federation. Fair play though, there is a West Midlands Police Federation working group now which will hopefully be able to work through some of the issues. However, it is a complex issue, so members should be patient,” he explains.
“For the Force, officer retention is a huge problem. With so many new officers joining us as well, it means we need to retain that experience so we can pass down good habits. “In terms of officers and staff, I think safety is the main concern. My team puts together the FCID TRM document and I am always appalled with how many people in our organisation are assaulted on a daily basis.
“For the police service, our relationships with our communities are challenging. We need to change the way we police to match society’s change. So, for instance, when I was a kid, if someone in authority told me to do something I did it. That’s changed now and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. We just have to ensure we continue to change with the times.”
