Sam urges members to connect with their Fed reps
28 October 2020
When Sam Hughes returned to work following treatment for breast cancer, she decided she wanted to invest some of her time in helping colleagues.
So, in early 2020 she joined the Police Federation as a workplace representative and she hopes she can use her wealth of life experience, as well as professional experience of working in domestic abuse, response, neighbourhood roles and public order situations, to understand the issues and demands officers are facing.
She explains: “I enjoy helping people, offering support and using my own personal experiences to provide them with a way forward.
“Times are hard and as a Force we work together, generally, very well. It’s the officers and their commitment that keep the wheels moving. I’m one of those officers and am proud to be part of the team.”
She continues: “I’d returned after breast cancer in September 2018 and really wanted to get more involved with helping my colleagues. I had experienced some positive and negative responses from having cancer and I wanted to share them.”
Sam, who is based in the review and allocation team as part of the Public Protection Unit, is currently working with HR on implementing a programme of changes to how the Force helps and supports people on long-term sick. This includes designated points of contact, a buddy system, changes to working practices, making the process easier for officers who are off sick and need the support and also helping them in having a voice.
The Federation role has been a learning curve for Sam, who says can be difficult not always knowing the answers, but she has a large network of people to consult with.
She says: “To anyone who’s thinking ‘is being a rep worthwhile?’, I’ve got no complaints. It can be demanding but rewarding also.
“As a workplace representative, you can present a voice, be able to offer support and be able to help make changes. Sadly, the Fed has had a bad name down to the issues with pensions.
“But the Fed reps don’t get extra pay for doing the role and they also don’t get the thanks they deserve either at times.
“As a workplace rep, I find it hard to understand why, when there’s a problem, officers don’t connect with their Fed reps sooner... we are there to help.”
Sam joined the Force in 2003, having previously been a swimming teacher, mortgage advisor and underwriter and a supervisor at Next.
When her children were 10 and 6 she decided she wanted a ‘career to be proud of’.
She explains: “They were growing up and I joined as I believed I could make a difference. A little corny, but it’s true. I felt the life skills I had to offer could be of benefit to the police.
Common sense all the way. The job itself is not hard. Being able to talk to people at all levels and being understanding, kind and compassionate doesn’t cost anything.”
Her first post was in Wednesbury with her then tutor, Cliff Tomkinson, who is now the personnel and equality lead for West Midlands Police Federation.
Speaking about the pandemic and her future as a Fed rep, she said: “I personally think the Force has worked hard during these difficult times with Covid. No organisation was prepared for this outbreak and I believe without the dedication of staff and officers the Force would be in a very different state now.
I want to get more involved with the Federation, do some more training courses and be able to offer more help and advice to the officers within the Force. To bring in the changes to help people off sick, make the process more user-friendly and give that voice officers need. Cancer has changed everything in my life and it has made me realise the good in people.”
