New chair calls for open and honest dialogue with Government

11 April 2022

The Federation’s new national chair has pledged to achieve “tangible and positive results” for police officers across England and Wales.

Steve Hartshorn, who took up his new role on 1 April, says there should be mutual respect between the Federation and Government and said he wanted open and honest dialogue.

But he said the Government had reneged on a deal whereby it recognised the restrictions placed on police officers and ensured they suffered no detriment in terms of pay and conditions.

“My priority is to continue to build on the important steps we have taken in pushing for improved pay for police officers, as well as improving all their working terms and conditions of service,” said Steve.

“I will continue to apply whatever pressure is necessary on the Government. Historically governments have recognised the restrictions placed on police officers and were committed to ensuring they would suffer no detriment in terms of pay and conditions. Sadly, that no longer appears to be the case.  That deal has been reneged on, but there is an opportunity now to put that right.  

“My door is open to the Government to have these vital discussions, and to have a relationship where there is mutual respect. I want open and honest dialogue where we can ask the difficult questions that our members need to hear the answers to. Most importantly, I want to achieve tangible and positive results for police officers in England and Wales.”

Steve also revealed that Chancellor Rishi Sunak had at last responded to a letter sent by the Federation highlighting the need for independent pay machinery and calling for a pay rise for police officers.

Last month, the Federation launched an application for a Judicial Review alongside the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association (CPOSA) and the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA).

In July last year, the Federation withdrew from the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) after its recommendations were again disregarded by the Government leaving officers with no pay uplift despite their efforts and the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Steve added: “Our members have suffered a 20 per cent real-terms cut in their pay since 2010 and this will increase further with costs of living increasing substantially.

“The current pay mechanism is not fit for purpose so we will continue to fight on behalf of police officers in England and Wales. We need independent pay machinery, and we need Government to honour in full the recommendations of the pay review body.”

He concluded: “It is my genuine belief that collectively we can make our voices heard to secure a better deal for policing on pay.”