Fairness for police is theme of this year’s Federation conference

13 May 2022

Rich Cooke is urging members to attend this year’s Police Federation annual national conference which is being webcast for those unable to attend in person.

The West Midlands chair will lead the branch’s delegates at the conference in Manchester on 17 and 18 May, which is on the theme of “Fighting for Fairness”. It will also be the first physical gathering in four years, after previous events were cancelled due to a cyber-attack and the pandemic, or in the case of last year, held virtually as a Covid precaution.

Rich said: “It will be fantastic to get together as 43 branches to debate the key issues facing our members today, things like what fair pay and pensions look like and how we secure these, and how we get fairness for officers involved in misconduct situations or struggling with poor mental health.

“Discussions will he held regarding the future finance of the organisation this delivered as part of the finance update with the long-term security of the organisation in mind.

“I’m also keen that this isn’t just be a talking shop for Fed reps. These occasions are about the membership, and I would like to encourage West Midlands officers to register to attend the conference virtually and to get involved by submitting a question. It’s your conference and your voice should be heard.”

The two-day event will be hosted by talkRADIO presenter Ian Collins and with keynote addresses from the new national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Steve Hartshorn, and a senior minister.

Tim Rogers, secretary of West Midlands Police Federation, will also give an input on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act which gives extra protections in law for police drivers.

Highlights of the first day will include a discussion around pay and conditions with national secretary Alex Duncan and his deputy John Partington and hosted by leading journalist George Pascoe-Watson. There will also be a panel session in the afternoon around pensions and another debating the success and failings of the Police Uplift Programme.

On day two the fairness theme will delve into misconduct, with Phill Matthews from the Federation National Board making the case for reform. Another session involving Assistant Met Commissioner Nick Ephgrave and Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill will debate whether Crown Prosecution Service guidance is placing an unnecessary burden on our hard-pressed detectives and the police service generally.

There will also be break-out sessions on both days which will aim to increase members’ awareness and knowledge around ill-health retirement, how a lack of cultural awareness can lead to misconduct, trauma and mental health and mutual aid.